Former San Antonio Spurs guard Josh Primo ‘clears waivers and is now an unrestricted NBA free agent’ after being released by team amid multiple allegations he exposed himself to women
Ex-San Antonio Spurs guard Josh Primo has reportedly cleared waivers and is now an unrestricted free agent after being released by the south-central Texas franchise Friday night.
The 19-year-old can now be claimed by any NBA team willing to take a chance on the youngster.
According to ESPN, there is ‘significant interest’ from ‘numerous’ teams in the Alabama product.
If Primo had been claimed before clearing waivers, that team would have needed to pay more than $8million in salary until next season’s end.
The Spurs’ shock release of the Canadian came on Friday, resulting from multiple allegations of the guard exposing himself to women, per reports.
The team suddenly announced they had cut the second-year guard, 19, who played just four games this season, before its game against the Chicago Bulls Friday night.
The announcement was a stunner, with the franchise exercising Primo’s $4.3m 2023-24 option on his contract just two weeks ago.
Guard Josh Primo has reportedly cleared waivers and is now an unrestricted free agent
Cutting ties with Primo reportedly came following multiple allegations of the promising 19-year-old exposing himself to women, according to ESPN.
A former Spurs female employee alleged that Primo exposed himself to her. Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the women in the sexual misconduct lawsuits against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, confirmed to DailyMail.com that he is representing the woman.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the San Antonio Spurs and Primo for comment.
Primo released a statement Friday, claiming he was stepping away to focus on his mental health.
‘I know that you all are surprised by today’s announcement,’ he wrote. ‘I’ve been seeking help to deal with previous trauma I suffered and will now take this time to focus on mental health treatment more fully.
The NBA franchise shockingly cut ties with Primo Friday night before game against the Bulls
‘I hope to be able to discuss these issues in the future so I can help others who have suffered in a similar way. I appreciate this privacy at this time.’
The franchise did not provide a clear reason for cutting him but claimed it was in the best interests of both the player and team.
‘It is our hope that, in the long run, this decision will serve the best interest of both the organization and Joshua,’ Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO, RC Buford, said.
The 19-year-old released a statement, saying he was stepping away to focus on mental health
The Spurs would not offer any further details on what led to the 19-year-old Primo’s dismissal.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich arrived a half hour after his scheduled pregame media session and only minutes after the Spurs released the statement of Primo’s waiver.
‘We’re going to stick by what we told you,’ Popovich said.
Primo did not play in Wednesday’s road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and was listed as out for Friday’s home game against Chicago before being waived about an hour before tipoff.
A litany of NBA teams are said to be interested in the 19-year-old Canadian from U of Alabama
The ailment cited on the league’s official injury report was ‘Left Glute; Soreness.’ Primo averaged 7.0 points in four games this season while battling minor injuries.
The six-foot-six guard averaged 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in his rookie season with the Spurs after playing one season at Alabama.
He started 18 games, and at 18 years, 300 days became the youngest player in league history to appear in an NBA game after one season in Tuscaloosa.
To claim Primo, a team would need the available cap space or a traded player exception significant enough to absorb his $4.1m salary this year. It would also owe him the $4.3m on his contract for 2023-2024.