Bulls sign controversial guard Joshua Primo to training camp deal |
Now that NBA training camp is underway, you will start seeing a lot more roster shuffling. You saw that with the Bulls on Wednesday, as they released Marcus Domask one day after training camp started. Then came Thursday, when the Bulls not only made a signing but a controversial signing, as Joshua Primo and the Bulls have come to terms on a deal.
Granted, this deal is one of those Exhibition 10 deals. Primo plans to start the season with the Windy City Bulls as he continues to battle back from an ankle injury that kept him out for parts of last season. The former lottery pick (12th) in 2021, Primo comes with all kinds of talent but also a ton of baggage, which is the biggest concern right now. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star is still just 20 years old, and there is a good chance he hasn't figured out what type of player he is just yet. During his time with Alabama, Primo was a very good player. He helped lead Alabama to a Sweet Sixteen appearance, averaging 8.1 PPG and 3.5 APG that year. Once the tournament started, those numbers increased as he saved his best for the big stage. The 6-5 G went on to play 50 games during his rookie campaign and was the youngest player in the league during that time. This is where the elephant in the room comes into play as the San Antonio Spurs waived him in October of 2022 for what is to be called a strange situation. According to former ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Primo allegedly exposed himself to multiple women while with the team. Primo’s camp shared that he would seek mental health help after his dismissal from the Spurs. Considering how the sports world is when it comes to domestic violence and actions that go against league and team standards, it's hard to believe that Primo wasn't punished more than he was. After a nearly year-long investigation, the NBA ruled that Primo acted inappropriately with female staff members and thus suspended him for only four games. FOUR games is a slap on the wrist for what he could've gotten, so Primo needs to consider himself fortunate for not only getting off easy but also getting another chance in general. This was the NBA's statement following the investigation. “The NBA announced today that Joshua Primo has been suspended four games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league,” the NBA released in a statement at the time. “The league conducted its investigation and consulted with relevant experts. Following that process, the league found that Primo engaged in inappropriate and offensive behavior by exposing himself to women. Primo maintains that his conduct was not intentional, and the league did not find evidence that he engaged in any sexual or other misconduct apart from these brief exposures. Nevertheless, this behavior does not conform to league standards and warrants discipline.” Following his suspension, the Clippers elected to sign him last season before cutting him in April. He will now get another opportunity with the Bulls, as Chicago is hoping his past issues are behind him and that his overall play will do the talking. There are a couple of reasons why the Bulls are bringing him in for a look, and it does play into the hands of what they are doing right now. For starters, he fits the mold of a rebuilding team. Chicago is trying to get younger across the board, and at 20 years old, he is young. Primo also has a unique and talented skillset, to the point where he is a high-upside player who could make an impact somehow. This is an organization that is going through a massive culture shift, so adding Primo is a bit puzzling. It will be interesting to see how this pans out and what backlash could come from it should he make the team.
