Despite playing just two NBA seasons, Houston Rockets wing AJ Griffin is already considering stepping away from the game, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Kelly Iko. Griffin was drafted 16th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2022.
Just in: Houston Rockets F AJ Griffin is seriously considering stepping away from basketball, sources tell me and @KellyIko. Griffin, 21, was the No. 16 pick in the 2022 NBA draft to Atlanta, then traded to Houston this summer. Sides are preparing for his departure from the game. pic.twitter.com/AyNp1rF4MI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 12, 2024
The 21-year-old is the son of NBA veteran and former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin.
Why Rockets’ AJ Griffin Is Preparing To Walk Away From NBA
This offseason, the Hawks sent Griffin to the Rockets in a three-team draft day trade. To complete the trade, Houston sent Pelle Larsson —the 2024 No. 44 pick —to the Miami Heat. At the same time, the Heat rerouted Nikola Ðurisic —the 2024 No. 43 pick —to Atlanta.
Upon its completion, the deal was thought to be the fresh start that Griffin needed after being removed from the Hawks rotation.
As a rookie, the Duke product played well, averaging 8.9 points per game and shooting 39.0 percent from 3. However, his success largely came under Nate McMillan, who was replaced as head coach midway through the season. In the games that Griffin played with McMillan leading the charge, he averaged 9.3 points per game while shooting 39.4 percent from 3.
With McMillan, Griffin averaged 20.4 minutes per game. When the 2023 NBA Playoffs rolled around, Quin Snyder removed him from the rotation entirely. Though Atlanta’s supporting cast actually played well, it was still seen as a bit unfair to Griffin.
All For Naught
Griffin entered 2023-24 in high spirits, believing he could vie for a rotation spot. With Snyder a Duke alum as well, there was even a thought that shared experience could help him curry favor. It did not.
In the first five games of the season, Griffin shot 50.0 percent from 3, but played just 9.0 minutes per game. When Griffin stepped away from the team for personal reasons in mid-December, many wondered whether he was frustrated with his role. Griffin hadn’t played well defensively and had a rough three-game stretch prior to his absence. Nonetheless, it’s difficult for a young player to improve without the reps.
This wasn’t lost on the Hawks, who assigned him to their G League affiliate after the All-Star Break. Griffin would play six games total with the College Park Skyhawks, averaging 14.2 points and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 40.0 percent from 3. This didn’t help him break into Atlanta’s rotation though.
Griffin had been usurped by Garrison Mathews, who isn’t blowing anyone away with his defense, but made 44.0 percent of his 3s last season.
Losing His Joy For The Game?
Since being traded to the Rockets, Griffin hasn’t had the best showing.
While getting his feet wet with the organization, he played in Summer League. In five contests, he averaged 11.6 points and 1.2 steals per game, but shot a paltry 38.2 percent from the field and 28.0 percent from 3. Suffice it to say, it’s not what a team wants to see from a soon-to-be third-year pro.
To make matters worse, Houston has a young but deep team. Griffin would be competing with Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason, for minutes. Veteran wing Dillon Brooks is bound to play heavy minutes.
Being buried on the bench for another season after a solid start to his career doesn’t sound particularly appealing.
Furthermore, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka’s tough love approach also may have a negative impact. Not everyone will take to that style, finding it grating. A young player who’s trying to get his career on the right track may even lose some of his joy for the game.
Until more information comes out, this is all speculation of course. Nonetheless, when a young and healthy player is looking at cutting their pro career short, there’s certainly something amiss.
