According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Atlanta Hawks have made a trade with the Houston Rockets.
AJ Griffin, a former first-round pick out of Duke, has just completed his second NBA season with the Atlanta Hawks. However, his playing time and production declined significantly in his sophomore campaign. Griffin only appeared in 20 games last season, averaging just 2.4 points per game while shooting poorly from the field (29.0%) and from three-point range (25.6%).
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Hawks have traded Griffin to the Houston Rockets. This move provides Griffin with a fresh start and an opportunity to potentially earn more playing time with the Rockets.
AJ Griffin showed significant promise during his rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks in 2022-23. Despite being selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, he made an immediate impact, averaging 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game while shooting an impressive 46.5% from the field and 39.0% from three-point range in 72 games (12 starts).
However, Griffin’s playing time and production declined notably in his sophomore season, as he only appeared in 20 games and averaged just 2.4 points per contest while shooting 29.0% from the field and 25.6% from the three-point range.
Given Griffin’s promising rookie campaign, the Houston Rockets may have acquired a talented young player with significant upside in this trade. The Rockets are likely hoping that a change of scenery and increased playing time will help Griffin regain his rookie form and develop into a valuable contribution.
The Houston Rockets wrapped up the 2023-24 campaign with a 41-41 record, landing them in the 11th spot in the ultra-competitive Western Conference standings. While it marked their fourth consecutive season on the outside looking in when the NBA playoffs rolled around, the signs are pointing to the Rockets being poised to end that postseason drought in the very near future – likely within the next couple years.
The acquisition of AJ Griffin from the Atlanta Hawks gives Houston an intriguing young talent with plenty of upside. The 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Griffin burst onto the scene as a rookie, posting averages of 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while knocking down 46.5% of his shots from the field and 39.0% from beyond the arc in 72 appearances (12 starts).
A change of scenery and increased playing time could be just what the doctor ordered for Griffin to regain that form and develop into a key piece for the Rockets as they work to assemble a roster capable of consistently competing in the West.
While the Rockets came up short of the playoffs this past season, their 41-41 record represents a step in the right direction and suggests they are heading in the right direction. With Griffin now in the fold and more young talent likely on the way via the draft and free agency, the future is bright in Houston and the long-suffering Rockets faithful have reason to be excited about the prospect of their team returning to the postseason in the not-too-distant future.
The Atlanta Hawks wrapped up the 2023-24 campaign in the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, posting a 36-46 record on the year. After falling to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament, the Hawks found themselves on the outside looking in when the NBA playoffs tipped off, marking the first time they’ve missed the postseason since the 2020 season.
