San Antonio Spurs shocked the NBA world on Friday night by announcing shortly before their game against the Chicago Bulls that they had released Joshua Cousins.
The 19-year-old shooting guard, who was in the middle of his second season with San Antonio, is leaving the team after playing just four games this season.
“We are optimistic that, in the long run, this decision is in the best interest of both the organization and Joshua”Spurs CEO RC Buford said in a statement.
Seeing the Spurs make the move official, even some of the most knowledgeable reporters on the NBA scene asked the big question: Why did San Antonio decide to cut ties with Primo so early in his career?
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Why did the San Antonio Spurs release Joshua Primo?
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich and the rest of the organization declined to comment on Primo’s condition beyond Buford’s statement Friday night.
Primo if expressed, in a separate statement (via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN):
“I know you all are surprised by today’s announcement. I have sought help to deal with past traumas I have suffered and will now devote more time to my mental health treatment. I look forward to discussing these issues in the future.” so that I can help others who have suffered similarly. I appreciate privacy at this time.”
The Spurs selected Primo with the 12th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He averaged 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 50 games as a rookie. He also spent time with the Austin Spurs of the G League during the 2021-2022 season.
Earlier this month, San Antonio announced it had exercised the third-year option on Primo’s contract. Through four games this season, he had increased his per-game averages to 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Joshua Primo stats and highlights
- 5.9 points per game
- 2.3 rebounds per game
- 1.8 assists per game
- 0.4 steals per game
- 0.5 blocks per match
- 1.3 losses per game
- 19.6 minutes per game
- 37.2% shooting from the field
- 30.2% in triples
- 75% on free throws
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the NBA or its organizations.
