According to a Friday report from The Athletic's Shams Charania, former Duke basketball star AJ Griffin is leaving the NBA after just two seasons. Charania said the Houston Rockets, who traded for Griffin back in June,

Duke basketball's top presence on HoopsHype's list is a defending NBA champion and recent second-time Olympic gold medalist in Boston Celtics centerpiece forward and five-time All-Star Jayson Tatum. The 26-year-old checks in at No. 6, below only Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and No. 1 Nikola Jokic.

The Houston Rockets are waiving A.J. Griffin by way of a contract buyout as the 21 year old is expected to step away from the game entirely, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.  It is not clear whether this is being treated as a temporary break for Griffin as he addresses personal issues or if the 2022 No.

AJ Griffin won't be on the Houston Rockets roster for the 2024-25 NBA season despite joining the team in June, as he's had his contract bought out to consider retirement

The Houston Rockets are officially waiving former first-round pick AJ Griffin, who has decided to cut his NBA career short at the age of 21.

"Rockets are waiving AJ Griffin via contract buyout, as he is expected to step away from basketball at 21 years old after two NBA seasons," wrote Shams on X. AJ Griffin was set to

Over the offseason, Griffin was traded to the Houston Rockets. However, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle now reports that the Rockets will waive Griffin following a contract buyout. Via Feigen: "Houston Rockets buy out forward A.