The Spurs (appear to) set the standard

On Josh Primo being waived, a surprise on multiple levels.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

Sick Mood at Sunset, Despair; Edvard Munch; 1892

On Friday, the Spurs made a shocking announcement: they had waived promising second-year lottery pick Josh Primo. The reason has since come out: Primo is alleged to have exposed his genitals to multiple women, including a contracted team sports psychologist who will speak publicly later this week. Primo cited his own past traumas and his mental health in his brief comments on the matter.

Primo cleared waivers on Monday; a team claiming him would have had to pay out the remainder of his 2022-23 and 2023-24 salary with a claim. No one did, so the Spurs are on the hook for the salary.

That what makes what the Spurs did in waiving him before allegations hit the public worthy of praise, or at minimum respect and acknowledgment. The Spurs franchise determined that even if Primo is just 19, even if he is the potential future centerpiece of the franchise, even if any media or public backlash would fly completely under the radar because this is San Antonio — even despite all those reasons not to proactively remove Primo from the team, what he is alleged to have done required waiving him. That’s frankly how all of these other teams (and leagues) should act. Kudos to the Spurs for setting the bar here at protecting women. Indecent exposure is a form of sexual violence, one that no woman should have to suffer anywhere, including in the workplace.

Of course, details could come out that indicate the Spurs knew previously and didn’t do anything about it until the sports pyschologist lawyered up. In that case, this reaction to the Spurs’ action would be amended to account for that.

Primo cites prior trauma he has experienced without going into detail. We don’t need details to feel sorrow for him, as well. Violence is a cycle; trauma begets future traumas. All we can wish for is that Primo gets the help he needs to heal his own trauma, to stop inflicting trauma on others and to make atonement for the suffering he’s caused. And really, only then should any NBA team consider bringing him on board.

We’ll see if other teams or the league are willing to take the Spurs’ cue here and accept this as the standard for responding to credible allegations against players or anyone. History doesn’t provide much optimism there, but change can happen and the Spurs organization has shown a path here. Take it.