2022 NBA first-round pick AJ Griffin is ‘seriously considering’ retirement

Rockets forward AJ Griffin could be stepping away from the game of basketball, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Thursday, saying he is “seriously considering” the option.

Griffin, 21, was the No. 16 overall pick by the Hawks in the 2022 NBA Draft. 

He played the first two seasons of his career in Atlanta before being traded to the Rockets in a three-team deal with the Heat over the offseason. 

Charania reported that “sides are preparing for his departure from the game,” suggesting that retirement is a strong possibility. 

The Duke product enjoyed a strong rookie year with the Hawks in 2022-23, averaging 8.9 points per game on 46.5 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range in 19.5 minutes per game. 

Griffin took a step back during his sophomore season last year, playing in just 20 games due to injuries and personal reasons, averaging 2.4 points in 8.6 minutes per game.

He was expected to be a rotational piece for Houston next season after the team gave up a mid-second-round pick for the 6-foot-6 wing.

Griffin spoke out about his off-the-court issues last December but didn’t get into specifics about what he was dealing with personally. 

“I would say I’m glad to be back,” Griffin said on Dec. 28, per Sports Illustrated. The team has been great to be able to support me through that time stepping away for a little, just for personal reasons. I definitely want to keep it brief and not put it all out there.”

Griffin is the son of longtime NBA player Adrian Griffin, who was fired as head coach of the Bucks last season after just 43 games.