Spurs cut '21 lottery pick Primo, cite 'best interest'

The San Antonio Spurs abruptly waived 2021 lottery prime Joshua Primo connected Friday, the squad announced.

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

Primo, the No. 12 wide prime successful the 2021 NBA draft, was waived 2 weeks aft the Spurs exercised the third-year enactment successful his declaration guaranteeing his $4.3 cardinal wage for the 2023-24 season.

"I cognize that you each are amazed by today's announcement," Primo said successful a connection to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. "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."

The quality comes a twelvemonth aft the Spurs besides parted ways with guardant Luka Samanic, who San Antonio had drafted with the No. 19 prime successful the 2019 NBA draft.

Primo, 19, 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.

The ailment cited connected the league's authoritative wounded study was "Left Glute; Soreness."