On Friday, the San Antonio Spurs waived 2021 first-round pick Josh Primon, sources said. The reason for the release of the guard is not yet known.
Spurs CEO Arcee Buford released this statement: “In the long term, we hope this decision is in the best interest of both the organization and Joshua.”
According to some NBA betting sites, the Spurs now have the third lowest odds to win the championship in 2023. Few sportsbooks have given up on their chances of making the playoffs this season.
Claim ordering is based on final 2021-22 regular season rankings.
That will be adjusted to the current level as of December 1. https://t.co/fOHpdBJlWt
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 29, 2022
Primo was the youngest player in the 2021 NBA draft. He was selected 12th overall out of Alabama. This roster move was a shock to Spurs fans and NBA analysts. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said it best.
“His on-court development has the organization excited about his NBA future,” Wojnarowski explained. “Premio’s sudden abandonment without explanation is unprecedented – and shameful.”
Two weeks ago, the Spurs exercised Premon’s $4.34 million team option for the 2023-24 season. This is part of the four-year, $18.42 million rookie scale contract he signed with the team last August.
Four games into the 2022-23 NBA season, the Spurs decided to waive 2021 first-round pick Josh Primo.
Following this decision, the Spurs left $4.14 million in cap space for the 2022-23 season and $4.34 million for the 2023-24 season. Needless to say, the guard had to do something questionable to secure this release.
“He’s a talent,” wrote one anonymous NBA executive. “Everybody’s trying to figure out what the hell happened.” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich declined to comment to the media on Primo.
For now, everyone is left to play the guessing game.
A lot of wrangling among NBA executives to figure out why the Spurs let Premon go. “He’s a genius,” one exec wrote in a text message. “Everybody’s trying to figure out what the hell happened.”
— Chris Mannix (@SICHrisMannix) October 28, 2022
In 50 games his rookie season, Primo averaged 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He shot 37.4% from the field and 30.7% from 3-point range.
On January 4, 2022, the rookie scored a career-high 15 points in 28 minutes off the bench in the Spurs’ 129–104 loss to the Toronto Raptors. He finished 6 of 16 shooting overall.
The 19-year-old is now in his sophomore year.
Through four games this season, the guard has averaged 7 points, 3.3 boards and 4.5 assists for the Spurs. He also shot 34.6% from the floor and 25% from downtown.
In losses to the Charlotte Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves this season, Primo finished with 10 points and 3 rebounds in both games.
