What's up with Primo? EDIT - Spurs Waive Primo 28-10-2022

[kasrok]

Hey all, 3-1!!

Cheers to our boys, I haven't had a chance to watch games live but I follow along games in an app. It seems Vassell and Keldon and doing well, Sochan had a good scoring game, and Primo hit double digits but hasnt started yet? Is he just not looking that good out there? I was hoping he would breakout this year and provide a solid building block piece but it's not looking like that, albeit super early.

[G R E Y]

Serious question: why would you think he ought to be starting? Because we are in super young, super development mode?

To be honest, that's why I thought he would be.

But there's also the fact that we traded a player at a crucial position where we need stability most.

Tre is not only our lone pure PG who happens to be a pass-first one, but has made significant strides in his game with respect to his poise, driving floater and occasional 3. I believe he's made at least one in three of four games. Defends well, too.

And he's only 22.

Primo, I have to remind myself, is STILL only 19! He's only in his second season in which he'll play in the NBA for the whole season for the first time.

He's not a natural pure PG and is learning the position in already a sixth man role.

I think he's being brought along just fine. This gives him room to grow without the pressure of being thrown out versus starting PGs.

You can argue well that's what we are doing with Sochan. Yes but his role on the team suits his game - defensive switchability, athleticism, finishing at the rim and protecting it, occasional J, good rebounding. If we happen to get double digit scoring from him now and then while his O game grows, great.

That's a different sort of thing than what Primo will eventually shoulder.

Just a matter of making sure each is in the right position for growth while not being too overwhelmed by the next steps.

Also, Primo has to earn it, like Tre has. No skipped steps.

As Pop says, play in such a way that he'd be an idiot not to play you.

Keldon got a shot in the bubble, took full advantage, and has started since.

Primo's time will come. PATFO reportedly love him and he works extra after practices with staff on some little intricacies of his position (P&R angles, etc.).

It may come this season. But that's up to him and the next steps he takes. If it comes next season, that's fine, too. He'll only be 20 going into his third pro year which is crazy if you think about it.

[kasrok]

Serious question: why would you think he ought to be starting? Because we are in super young, super development mode?

To be honest, that's why I thought he would be.

But there's also the fact that we traded a player at a crucial position where we need stability most.

Tre is not only our lone pure PG who happens to be a pass-first one, but has made significant strides in his game with respect to his poise, driving floater and occasional 3. I believe he's made at least one in three of four games. Defends well, too.

And he's only 22.

Primo, I have to remind myself, is STILL only 19! He's only in his second season in which he'll play in the NBA for the whole season for the first time.

He's not a natural pure PG and is learning the position in already a sixth man role.

I think he's being brought along just fine. This gives him room to grow without the pressure of being thrown out versus starting PGs.

You can argue well that's what we are doing with Sochan. Yes but his role on the team suits his game - defensive switchability, athleticism, finishing at the rim and protecting it, occasional J, good rebounding. If we happen to get double digit scoring from him now and then while his O game grows, great.

That's a different sort of thing than what Primo will eventually shoulder.

Just a matter of making sure each is in the right position for growth while not being too overwhelmed by the next steps.

Also, Primo has to earn it, like Tre has. No skipped steps.

As Pop says, play in such a way that he'd be an idiot not to play you.

Keldon got a shot in the bubble, took full advantage, and has started since.

Primo's time will come. PATFO reportedly love him and he works extra after practices with staff on some little intricacies of his position (P&R angles, etc.).

It may come this season. But that's up to him and the next steps he takes. If it comes next season, that's fine, too. He'll only be 20 going into his third pro year which is crazy if you think about it.

Great write up and my thinking was the same as your's, since we are in development mode I was thinking he would get the bulk of the minutes and start to really see what we have. I know he's young and I love how Tre plays I just thought Primo's natural ability or potential would overtake Tre who probably doesnt have as high a ceiling due to Primo's size.

I think we could also use Primo in more ways as well due to his size in today's more positionless NBA.

[watch1958]

Waived. what happened?

[G R E Y]

Waived. what happened?

Really thought this was some miscommunication on your part.

WTF??!

I have NO IDEA. He was to be the face of the youth movement franchise. Like PATFO were SUPER HIGH on him.

I'm **** shocked.

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[Phreak50]

WTF

[G R E Y]

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[G R E Y]

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[G R E Y]

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[G R E Y]

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[G R E Y]

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[damanick10]

Gonna be a long rebuild but I'm here for the ride

[Ballings7]

Very surprising.

I really liked Primo as a bigger combo guard prospect with good triple threat shooting potential, and all around defense development.

Well, glad have other interesting and intriguing wing prospects like Branham, Wesley, and even Langford whos had some impressive moments.

wild stuff.

[imagump1313]

I never really saw what everyone else was thinking about him. Yeah he was young but I never saw any talent that stood out. I thought his ceiling was an average NBA player.

That being said, I am still totally shocked it happened like this...

[imagump1313]

I know you're busy with the game Grey so here's the latest Woj Bomb...

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[G R E Y]

I know you're busy with the game Grey so here's the latest Woj Bomb...

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Really appreciate it, gump!

This is weird. Wouldn't we stand by a player with a mental health issue?

But let's say they asked to be waived (I get why they would after we picked up next year's contract, but not thrilled with it. Maybe both sides were ok with it).

WHY would we pull ALL Primo merchandise from our online Spurs store?

Something doesn't add up...

EDIT to add: ALSO, CIN-C-STAR pointed this out in the Primo GB thread: Primo didn't mention the Spurs At. All. This is a big hint that it wasn't something his camp asked for.

I wonder when we found something out? He took a fall I didn't notice and was listed out last game and for this one (glute bruise type of thing), and he was on the bench in the previous game.

And now this.

Curious, too, as others on the GB pointed out, that Spurs waited until after 5pm when apparently crime lists (not the proper term) don't get made public until Monday.

Not saying this was criminal... Just that that statement is one sided, murky, and doesn't mention the team or team mates or agent or anything at all...

[imagump1313]

I know you're busy with the game Grey so here's the latest Woj Bomb...

Read on Twitter

Really appreciate it, gump!

This is weird. Wouldn't we stand by a player with a mental health issue?

But let's say they asked to be waived (I get why they would after we picked up next year's contract, but not thrilled with it. Maybe both sides were ok with it).

WHY would we pull ALL Primo merchandise from our online Spurs store?

Something doesn't add up...

EDIT to add: ALSO, CIN-C-STAR pointed this out in the PRimo GB thread: Primo didn't mention the Spurs At. All. This is a big hint that it wasn't something his camp asked for.

I wonder when we found something out? He took a fall I didn't notice and was listed out last game and for this one (glute bruise type of thing), and he was on the bench in the previous game.

And now this.

Curious, too, as others on the GB pointed out, that Spurs waited until after 5pm when apparently crime lists (not the proper term) don't get made public until Monday.

Not saying this wasy criminal... Just that that statement is one sided, murky, and doesn't mention the team or team mates or agent or anything at all...

Some people are saying it might be gambling on basketball or something. Kid's not even old enough to gamble lol...

Not to make too much fun of it because it is a big deal but here is some of the best rumors out there:

Primo said "Gosh Darnit!" in front of Timmy.....
Primo mentioned that The Riverwalk was just ok....
Primo was at Nancy Pelosi's house last night (LMAO)
Primo forgot the Alamo
Primo is addicted to hookers and blow.. Oh Wait! That's the rest of the league! LOL

[JeffReal]

The latest medical exam showed that his growth plates have closed. Sadly, it left the Spurs no choice.

[kasrok]

Well this is surprising news to wake up to. Hopefully the kid is alright

[G R E Y]

Slept on it. Have a gnawing feeling in my gut.

Ok this wasn't a player who'd been established with us, and some didn't see the big prospect deal with Primo. But I am trying not to think of his physical profile, mental approach, and unique playing style as a big "WHAT IF?"

If I am thinking it, I can only imagine how much more difficult it was for PATFO who reportedly loved Primo and considered him a cornerstone piece of our future. He was averaging a career high 7PPG, tied with Devin for second best on the team with 4.5 assists per game on 23.3 MPG. These don't jump out at you, but again, he was still one of the youngest players on the team and in the league.

Primo was on billboards. Primo was the face of SELF, our jersey sponsor. Primo was with the team in Uvalde and participated in other team community outreach initiatives. Primo was already in the 6th man role. Pretty much being brought along to be a key part of our future.

And yet despite all that, PATFO suddenly not just let him take time off from the team, not suspend him, not even see if we could get something for him or involve him in a trade, but flat out waived him. Cut ties.

Think how hard that must have been. How damaging something has to be for us to do this, to consider a clean break the better, perhaps only, alternative.

Things we know:

Per Tom Orsborn's article,

- this is not basketball related

- no statement response from his agent, Todd Ramasar

- it is likely either a very recent incident - Primo was on the bench when we just played in Minny on the 26th, or we just recently found out about it. It may be something Spurs got wind of and did some digging and didn't like what they found out. Either way, the decisive action the Spurs took is telling.

And today, this:

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Things we can discern from statements, actions, and timing:

- Spurs release a terse statement announcing the waiving. I think it is important that it was released not by GM Brian Wright (who has been silent throughout), but by RC Buford, the highest ranking official.

- Pop was uncharacteristically but understandably over a half hour late for the pre-game 5:45pm presser. He was terse in addressing the issue. The statement RC made stood for the whole team.

- the statement of waiving Primo was made after 5pm. Any speculations of arrests, making bail, public records of them are covered by this:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

I guess we will see what is revealed on Monday, if anything.

- Primo made a statement to ESPN later in the day. It's curious that it wasn't made through his agent as is usually stated, and nothing in his statement mnetioned the Spurs or team mates or his agent.

- these two statements read like there's a clear silent border between the two sides. It also makes me think that Primo didn't ask to be released

- I'm both loathe to see mental health and trauma used as an umbrella and loathe to even suspect it may be used as such.

- It's curious that Orsborn's tweet above addresses the professional help that Spurs players have access to, both league mandated and those that the Spurs took initiative in providing. Seems like a clear line is drawn about this, too.

- Some on the GB Primo thread have speculated that the mental health trauma event was something related to suicide attempt. I have an impossible time believing that the Spurs would cut ties with a player undergoing a serious mental health issue. Just don't see it. More likely it seems like something he got triggered by and lashed out or is using the mental health/trauma to explain an action we don't yet know about.

- Primo removed all Spurs related content from twitter and Instagram. He removed most followers and all posts, including ties to his long-term GF. She doesn't apear to be on IG anymore either. Either she just doesn't want to deal with the fallout and he's protecting her or the consequences extend to her (again, speculation. I'm not saying it has anything to do with her, just that this is a response to recent events)

- Is it reasonable to assume that Primo asked to be released if his agent has no comment, if he released a mental health/trauma statement directly to ESPN (no through his agent) without mentioning a word about the Spurs? Sounds more like this was initiated from the team based on what they found out.

- Some have speculated that it is a gambling addiction and that Primo was betting on Spurs games. I don't see how that relates to his stated trauma or his GF being wiped from his social media and going off it herself.

- Both the Spurs and NBA online stores (North America) have NO Primo merchandise as of yesterday. What?!

- Spurs have wiped Primo from their IG and YouTube except for those videos or photo compilations that involve the group.

This isn't going away. But there are clear reasons we don't yet know of as to why the Spurs dropped a player they were so high on, did so decisively with a statement from the highest authority on the team, have made it clear we have had mental health directives in place after Primo's statement was released, and cut ties rather than engage in a treatment program, cut ties at the team and league level with all saleable materials.

There's also this in consideration of everything:

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This is unprecedented. Not basketball related. Let's proceed with dispelling rumours and addressing what we do know which is that this was not easy, but was the direction the team chose despite all the investment (we just picked up next year's contract, this after all the promos and developemnt) and being so high on him and his future with us.