Report: Rockets' AJ Griffin leaving team, to be waived

Field Level Media|published: Sat 21st September, 13:07 2024

NBA: Preseason-New Orleans Pelicans at Atlanta Hawks

Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin (14) drives the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) during the third quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Former first-round draft pick A.J. Griffin is walking away from the NBA and will be waived by the Houston Rockets, The Athletic reported.

Per the outlet, the Rockets will buy out his contract, which was worth $3.9 million for the 2024-25 season.

Previously, The Athletic reported that Griffin, 21, was considering retirement due to family and other personal issues.

The Atlanta Hawks selected Griffin with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after his freshman season at Duke. He played in 72 games (12 starts) and averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists over 19.5 minutes as a rookie.

In his second season, his numbers dropped dramatically. In 20 games, he averaged 2.4 points, 8.6 minutes and less than one rebound and one assist per game.

The Hawks traded Griffin to Houston on June 27 as part of a three-team trade that also involved the Miami Heat.

He participated in the NBA summer league with the Rockets, but his communication with the team has "diminished" since, The Athletic reported.

The forward comes from an NBA family. His father, Adrian, played nine seasons in the NBA and most recently was the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. He was fired in January, midway through his first season and with a 30-13 record.

--Field Level Media