The San Antonio Spurs waived forward Luka Samanic on Monday, cutting ties with the No. 19 pick in the 2019 NBA draft after just two seasons.
Samanic, 21, had two years left on his rookie contract. San Antonio was facing a deadline this month to pick up his option for the 2022-23 season.
Samanic averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 36 games for the Spurs. He is just the third 2019 first-round draft pick to have been waived off an NBA roster, joining Mfiondu Kabengele and Sekou Doumbouya.
A 6-foot-11 shooter, Samanic turned pro at 16 years old, playing for FC Barcelona’s reserve team. He won MVP in the FIBA U18 European Championship in 2017 while leading his home country of Croatia to a gold medal.
The cut leaves the Spurs’ training camp roster at 17 players. They will need to get down to 15 before the start of the regular season.