For AJ Griffin, the second-year wing for the Atlanta Hawks, this season hasn’t gone as planned.
As a rookie, Griffin, the No. 16 overall choice in the 2022 draft, made an immediate impression by displaying a propensity for spacing the floor and making critical baskets. This season, the story has been completely different.
Griffin has been assigned to the College Park Skyhawks of the G League in an attempt to turn around his season and career.
The official statement from the Atlanta Hawks PR handle on X, formerly Twitter, on February 21 read, “The Atlanta Hawks announced today that guard AJ Griffin has been assigned to the College Park Skyhawks.”
This season, Griffin, 20, is averaging 2.1 points while shooting 27.3% from beyond the arc.
With his uneven role and personal concerns keeping him away from the squad, he has only made 18 appearances.
The former Duke star, who shot 39% from outside the arc in his debut season and averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists—many of which were buzzer-beaters—has taken a big step back.
During the playoffs the previous year, his role started to diminish. Griffin was essentially benched by head coach Quin Snyder for the entirety of the Hawks’ five-game postseason run.
This season has proven to be no different, as rookie journeyman Garrison Mathews has taken on a bigger role than most anticipated beforehand. Snyder has justified Mathews’ increased playing time by pointing to his versatility as an impact player.
AJ Griffin imitating his Hawks teammate
Young players frequently travel to the G League, particularly if they aren’t getting much playing time. This season, Kobe Bufkin, a rookie for the Hawks, has undoubtedly found his footing with the College Park Skyhawks.
However, third-year forward Jalen Johnson—the No. 20 overall pick in 2021—is a more relevant example for Griffin.
Under former head coach Nate McMillan, Johnson found himself in a comparable circumstance.
It was difficult for him to get minutes and a steady role, and McMillan stated that the season wasn’t the right time to develop guys on a team that was attempting to contend. In the end, Johnson asked to join the G League.
Johnson is one of, if not the front-runner for, the Most Improved Player award this season.
Griffin might not experience a comparable result.
However, considering that the Hawks have played the second-most clutch games in the NBA this season, it is preferable to spot minutes during garbage time, which have been few and far between.
