AJ Griffin could revive his career with the Houston Rockets

Newly signed Houston Rockets forward AJ Griffin is set to play in his third NBA Summer League, starting tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Duke Blue Devil was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks via trade.

The 20-year-old has the potential to be a big contributor in the NBA, displaying an elite shooting guard at Duke that warranted his 16th overall selection by the Hawks in 2022.

Girffin had a promising rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks. He played in 72 games, averaging 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.6 steals in 19.5 minutes per game. However, his sophomore season saw a decline. He played just 8.6 minutes per game in 20 games, averaging 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.2 assists. His three-point shooting percentage dropped from 39.0% as a rookie to 25.6% this season.

With the Rockets, Griffin has new opportunities alongside other young players like Jalen Green, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and more. He joins a core of developing players on a potential playoff team.

Griffin’s shooting ability was evident during his time at Duke University. He was an elite three-point shooter and Houston should recognize that role. If they give him regular playing time, he can regain his confidence and find his rhythm from three-point range.

Griffin also has athleticism that can make an impact on both ends of the floor. His defensive skills need improvement, as that’s what really hurt his playing time in Atlanta, but he has the physical tools to contribute. Developing him defensively could benefit the team as a whole, especially since the Rockets specialize in that area.

The most important thing to note is that Griffin is still young and his potential remains untapped. At only 20 years old, he has time to grow and learn. The Rockets should invest in his development, viewing him as a long-term asset, and perhaps one day he could be a big contributor to an elite team.

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