Whoa, big news in the NBA world! Let’s dive into this rollercoaster story about AJ Griffin.
AJ Griffin: On the Brink of Retirement?
So, here’s the scoop: Houston Rockets forward AJ Griffin is reportedly mulling over stepping away from the game at just 21 years old. Shams Charania and Kelly Iko from The Athletic dropped this bombshell, and it’s got everyone talking. Griffin, who was the 16th pick by the Hawks in the 2022 draft, hasn’t spilled the beans on why he’s considering hanging up his sneakers. Permanent or temporary? Your guess is as good as mine.
From Promising Rookie to Uncertain Future
Griffin had a solid rookie year with Atlanta, showing flashes of brilliance. In 72 games, he averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 boards, and 1 assist in about 19.5 minutes per game. Not too shabby, right? Remember that game against the Bucks on November 7, 2022? He dropped a career-high 24 points, hitting 10 of 15 shots. Dude was on fire! But then things got murky. He missed the start of the 2023-24 season for “personal reasons,” and the Hawks kept it hush-hush.
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.
โ Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Hawks to Rockets: A Fresh Start or More Trouble?
Fast forward to June, and Griffin gets shipped off to Houston in a three-team trade. Atlanta got a trade exception, Miami received Pelle Larsson, and Nikola Djurisic went to the Hawks. Griffin’s stats took a nosedive last season, averaging just 2.4 points in 20 games off the bench. Shooting 29% from the floor? Ouch. I think the trade might’ve messed with his mojo.
Big Money, Big Decisions
Here’s where it gets even juicier. According to Spotrac, Griffin’s got a guaranteed $3.9 million coming his way this season. That’s part of a four-year, $17.1 million deal he inked with Atlanta. If he retires, he’s walking away from that cash. Plus, the Rockets have a $5.9 million team option for the 2025-26 season. Man, that’s a lot to leave on the table.
Oh, and did I mention he’s the son of former NBA player Adrian Griffin? His dad coached the Bucks for the first 43 games last season before Doc Rivers took over. Talk about a basketball pedigree!
So, what do you think? Is AJ Griffin really going to call it quits, or is this just a bump in the road? Drop your thoughts below!
