As expectedthe Houston Rockets and AJ Griffin agreed to the terms of a buyout that the team announced.
The buyout is for a reported $250,000 and allows “him to sit out the season while considering whether to continue his career, a person with knowledge of the deal” told Jonathan Fiegan of the Houston Chronicle.
Griffin – the 21-year-old son of former NBA player and coach Adrian Griffin, and the No. 16 pick out of Duke two years ago – asked for this space away from the game. Griffin looked more like a future NBA role player as a rookie, averaging 8.9 points per game and shooting 39% from 3 for Atlanta. Last season was a different story for Griffin, who missed time early in the season for personal reasons and, when he returned, never cracked the rotation. Griffin averaged 2.4 points per game and shot 29% from 3 while struggling on the defensive end.
The Rockets administration was reportedly intrigued by Griffin and his potential, trading for him this offseason as part of a three-team deal. Griffin played for the Rockets at the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 11.6 points and 3 rebounds per game, shooting 28% from 3 – disappointing stats for a player with Griffin’s experience.
Griffin now has the space he wanted to figure out his future. Let’s hope he finds what he’s looking for, whether that includes basketball or not.
