In an utterly shocking turn of events, the San Antonio Spurs made an official announcement that they waived the former 12th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, Joshua Primo. This came as a jarring surprise before last Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls--even for Spurs insiders.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 28, 2022
This abrupt move by the organization has sent a shockwave through NBA and Spurs circles filled with dismay and confusion, understandably so. Primo, who's been the face of recent Spurs advertising and who had reportedly been playing incredibly well during the offseason, was slated to become one of the new faces of the franchise if he made a leap on the court.
Early signs after his release began pointing toward the likelihood that this transaction went beyond talent or basketball at all.
Just replying to people in general here, but Primo being waived has nothing to do with basketball. Still gathering details.
— Matthew Tynan (@Matthew_Tynan) October 29, 2022
Before Friday night's game against the Bulls, Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich was reportedly late to the media room. After arriving and being promptly asked about the Spurs waiving Primo, he refused to give any further insight into the matter, referring back to the team's official announcement.
Asked what led to the release of Primo, Pop said, "Have you all gotten the statement we've made? That's all I choose to say about that right now. We are just going to stick with what we told you all."
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) October 28, 2022
For those that aren't aware or may not be entirely sure, waiving such a high 1st round pick so soon (just over a year after being drafted) is totally unprecedented. In fact, according to Forbes' Mark Deeks, Primo's waiving set a new NBA record.
As far as I can tell, the waiving of Josh Primo sets a new record for the earliest any lottery pick has ever had their rookie scale contract terminated in NBA history, beating the previous record by Georgios Papagiannis (who at least made it to the trade deadline of year two).
— Mark Deeks (@MarkDeeksNBA) October 29, 2022
Late into the Spurs' game against the Bulls, and after the bulk of the reporting prior to the game beginning, ESPN released a cryptic statement from Primo that didn't give much more insight into the chaos.
Josh Primo statement to ESPN in the aftermath of his release from the Spurs tonight: pic.twitter.com/H1n3k3IIcn
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 29, 2022
Update 10/29: Late on Saturday afternoon, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski released a bombshell joint report that claimed the Spurs' release of Primo stemmed from "multiple alleged instances of him exposing himself to women." The shocking report didn't provide any details on when these instances occurred or who the victims were, but this seemingly confirms most fans' worst fears that Primo was involved in something deplorable that goes well beyond basketball.
Reporting with @wojespn The San Antonio Spurs’ release of guard Josh Primo – the No. 12 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft --- stemmed from multiple alleged instances of Primo exposing himself to women. https://t.co/4qV7FzmkNI
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 29, 2022
Things have only continued to go further South since this disturbing report, however. Later on this past Saturday evening, The Athletic's Shams Charania shared a disturbing new piece of information: one of the allegations of Primo exposing himself is coming from a former female employee of the Spurs.
Sources: A former Spurs female employee has alleged that guard Josh Primo exposed himself to her, and she has hired attorney Tony Buzbee.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 29, 2022
Buzbee represented the women in the sexual misconduct lawsuits against NFL QB Deshaun Watson.
In the wake of the reports from Shelburne, Wojnarowski, and Charania, multiple related yet still unsubstantiated rumors have begun circulating online. As of Saturday evening, according to Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, no complaint against Primo has reached the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.
We anticipate that more details of Primo's release will be shared in the coming days. We will be releasing any and all updates as they become available, and we urge fans to prepare themselves for more potentially disturbing news in the meantime.