Rockets agree to buyout, waive 2022 first-round pick AJ Griffin, who may retire from the sport

As expectedThe Houston Rockets and AJ Griffin have agreed to terms in a deal the team announced.

The buyout is reportedly $250,000 and will allow him to “sit out the season while he considers continuing his career, a person familiar with the agreement said.” 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 that space outside the game. Griffin looked 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, was never in the rotation. Griffin averaged 2.4 points per game and shot 29% from 3 while struggling defensively.

The Rockets front office was reportedly intrigued by Griffin and his potential, and traded him this offseason as part of a three-team deal. Griffin played for the Rockets in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 11.6 points and 3 rebounds per game while shooting 28% from 3 — disappointing stats for a player of 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 it’s basketball or not.