Clippers sign controversial former top-15 pick

The Clippers have reached an agreement to sign free-agent guard Joshua Primo to a two-way contract, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The news comes on the heels of the NBA’s announcement that Primo will be suspended for four games for conduct detrimental to the league. An investigation into the circumstances that led to Primo’s release from the Spurs nearly a year ago found that he “engaged in inappropriate and offensive behavior by exposing himself to women,” per a statement from the NBA.

One of those women, Dr. Hillary Cauthen, was a sports psychologist who was employed by the Spurs at the time. She filed a lawsuit against Primo and the Spurs that accused the team of being “willing to tolerate abhorrent conduct” by prized athletes.

While that lawsuit was settled a few weeks later, a spokesperson from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office told Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News that it filed an indecent exposure case against Primo with the district attorney’s office in May after having interviewed Cauthen. Indecent exposure is a misdemeanor that is punishable by a maximum of 180 days in a state prison and a maximum fine of up to $2,000, per Orsborn.

According to Wojnarowski, Primo has been undergoing therapy since being cut by the Spurs and that treatment will continue in Los Angeles. Wojnarowski adds that the Clippers organization was comfortable giving the 20-year-old this opportunity after he was evaluated by specialists who consult with the team.

Primo, the 12th overall pick in 2021, was the youngest player drafted in his class. He averaged 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 50 games (16 starts; 19.3 minutes per night) as a rookie, but struggled with efficiency, posting a .374/.307/.746 shooting slash line.

He will be ineligible to play in the first four games of the Clippers’ regular season while he serves his suspension.