Derrick Gervin thinks Spurs should throw Primo into the fire

With each passing breakout game from lottery picks around the NBA comes a repeated question: Are the San Antonio Spurs missing out on an opportunity? The selection of Joshua Primo as the 12th overall pick confused many at first, but after seeing glimpses of what he's capable of, a lot of those people changed their minds.

It's not as if the Spurs have gotten off to a hot start and don't want to rock the boat, and many of their guards aren't exactly lighting the nets on fire, you might be thinking. As the Silver and Black continue to lose games, that argument is starting to sound more logical.

Despite being selected before guys like Chris Duarte, Alperen Sengun, and Moses Moody, Primo's nine total NBA minutes played are fewer than everyone taken in the top 20 besides James Bouknight and Kai Jones. In that extremely limited time, he tallied one made 3-pointer and an offensive rebound.

While it's expected that the San Antonio Spurs will be assigning Primo back and forth from their G League affiliate, one man with close ties to a Spurs all-time great doesn't think that's the right call.

"I think he's ready for the NBA," said Derrick Gervin on Sweep the League's Spurs Chisme segment. Gervin spent two seasons playing for the New Jersey Nets in the early 90s and is George Gervin's younger brother.

"I think you let him learn in the fire. That's the kind of player he is. He's not the average rookie we've had here."

Primo certainly turned some heads with his Summer League play and seems to show something new on the court each time he sets foot on one.

"The Spurs probably want to keep this kid for a lot of years, and I see him as being a leader," continued Gervin. "He's not a G Leaguer. I understand them wanting to get him 30 minutes, but why can't he play 15 minutes with the Spurs and learn on the fly?"

Ultimately, Gregg Popovich isn't the kind of coach to be influenced by the opinions of others. He's going to do what he thinks is best for the Spurs and Primo, frustrated fans or not.

Personally, I'm starting to lean more toward giving the 18-year-old more spot minutes over Bryn Forbes or Keita Bates-Diop. This is the season for developing and experimenting more than ever before, and it's not like the Spurs have a playoff spot to preserve.