Sources: Ex-Spur Primo allegedly exposed self

The San Antonio Spurs' merchandise of defender Joshua Primo -- the No. 12 prime successful the 2021 NBA draught -- stemmed from aggregate alleged instances of him exposing himself to women, sources told ESPN connected Saturday.

The decision to merchandise Primo connected Friday nighttime was abrupt and shocking, and it spoke to the severity of the issues surrounding the promising 19-year aged player.

The squad had precocious picked up the $4.3 cardinal 2023-24 enactment connected Primo's contract, signifying a level of assurance successful his aboriginal with the franchise.

Also connected Saturday, lawyer Tony Buzbee told ESPN helium has been retained by a pistillate who worked for the Spurs and has alleged Primo exposed himself to her. Buzbee represented aggregate women successful the intersexual misconduct lawsuits against Cleveland Browns backmost Deshaun Watson.

Many NBA teams stay intrigued with Primo's endowment and potential, but are searching for a much implicit knowing of the concern arsenic they measurement the anticipation of placing a assertion to get Primo earlier helium clears waivers and becomes a escaped cause Monday afternoon, sources said.

To assertion Primo, a squad would request the disposable headdress abstraction oregon a traded subordinate objection important capable to sorb his $4.1 cardinal wage this year. It would besides beryllium him the $4.3 cardinal connected his declaration for 2023-2024.

In a connection to ESPN connected Friday night, Primo acknowledged a request to proceed "mental wellness attraction much fully."

"I cognize that you each are amazed by today's announcement," Primo said successful the statement. "I've been seeking assistance to woody with erstwhile trauma I suffered and volition present instrumentality this clip to absorption connected my intelligence wellness attraction much fully. I anticipation to beryllium capable to sermon these issues successful the aboriginal truthful I tin assistance others who person suffered successful a akin way. I admit privateness astatine this time."

Primo averaged 5.9 points successful 54 vocation games for the Spurs, including 16 starts arsenic a rookie.

He played successful the Spurs' archetypal 4 games this season, averaging 7.0 points disconnected the bench. Primo did not play successful Wednesday's roadworthy nonaccomplishment to the Minnesota Timberwolves and was listed arsenic retired for Friday's location crippled against the Chicago Bulls earlier being waived astir an hr earlier tipoff.

"It is our anticipation that, successful the agelong run, this determination volition service the champion involvement of some the enactment and Joshua," Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said successful a statement.