The Houston Rockets have taken a significant step by waiving forward A.J. Griffin, concluding his tenure with the team through a $250,000 contract buyout. At just 21, Griffin’s career is now at a crossroads, as he contemplates stepping away from basketball, at least temporarily.
Griffin's professional journey began when he was selected 16th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks after a promising single season at Duke. As a rookie, Griffin showed flashes of potential, averaging nine points per game while shooting an impressive 39% from beyond the arc in an average of 20 minutes of play. He even managed to hit a career-high 24 points twice and started in 12 games during his first season, making him a noteworthy figure among the freshmen in the league.
However, Griffin's path hasn't been entirely smooth. After an encouraging start with the Hawks, he was traded to the Houston Rockets in a deal that sent the No. 43 overall pick, Nikola Durisic, to Atlanta. The transition proved challenging for Griffin, especially during the Las Vegas Summer League last July, where his performances did not meet expectations. This struggle has seemingly continued, leading the Rockets to permit Griffin to sit out the upcoming season as he considers his future in the sport.
"Sit out the [2024-25] season while considering whether to continue his career," reported Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, encapsulating the floating uncertainty around Griffin's next steps.
The decision to waive Griffin and allow him this period of reflection likely stems from a combination of his recent performance woes and the potential benefits of taking a deliberate hiatus. This break could provide Griffin with the mental and physical reset needed to reassess his aspirations and direction in professional basketball.
Adding another layer to his narrative, Griffin comes from a notable basketball lineage. He is the son of Adrian Griffin, a former NBA player who is now the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. This connection not only highlights the pressures and expectations that come with his basketball career but also underscores the deep-rooted passion for the game within the Griffin family.
The upcoming year off could serve as a crucial period for Griffin, whether it becomes a definitive pause or the end of his playing days. As he weighs his options, the basketball community will undoubtedly keep a close watch on his journey, eager to see whether this former Duke standout will find his way back to the court or embark on a new path altogether.
In an era where the mental and emotional well-being of athletes is increasingly prioritized, Griffin's decision reflects a broader understanding within sports culture. It showcases the importance of allowing players the space to navigate the pressures and demands intrinsic to professional sports careers.
For the Rockets, this move also represents a reshuffling as the team continues its rebuilding phase. While Griffin's potential remains evident, the Rockets' management appears to believe that both the player and the team might benefit from this separation, at least for now.
The sports world will be keenly observing how this situation unfolds. Griffin's story, underscored by his early promise and ongoing introspection, serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable twists in the careers of young athletes.