AJ Griffin was about to start his third year in the NBA, but there are rumors that the young forward might be taking a break from basketball. Griffin is reportedly giving serious thought to retiring from basketball, as per Shams Charania and Kelly Iko of The Athletic. The Houston Rockets, who traded for Griffin from the Atlanta Hawks during the offseason, are said to be getting ready for the possibility of him leaving.
A Promising Start
Griffin had great hopes after being chosen by the Atlanta Hawks as the No. 16 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He excelled as a versatile player at Duke, earning ACC All-Freshman honors for his ability. To score from long range and driving to the basket. During his first year in the league. He had an average of 8.9 points and 2.1 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 46.5 from the field and 39.0 from beyond the arc.
Struggles in His Second Year
Nevertheless, Griffin saw a decrease in his involvement in his second year. Posting only 2.4 points and 0.9 rebounds per game in 20 appearances. The Hawks traded him to the Rockets in a three-team deal that included the Miami Heat. Griffin was expected to regain his form by playing with talented young players. Players like Alperen Şengün, Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr. in a new environment.
Uncertain Future
Griffin’s ability to shoot from outside could have been an important strength for Houston. Especially in opening up space for players such as Şengün and Green. Regrettably, if he chooses to leave the game, the Rockets will miss out on witnessing his potential unfold. Potential retirement of AJ Griffin at the young age of 21 comes as unexpected, given his early success in the NBA.
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