2 reasons the Rockets must trade for AJ Griffin

Proficient long-range shooting

The Houston Rockets lack shooters on the roster. They didn't exactly address this need in the offseason, outside of Reggie Bullock, who logs DNPs on a regular basis. Griffin made 39 percent of his threes in Atlanta as a rookie, and was the Hawks' second-best shooter in 2022-23. 

Griffin made 40.8 percent of his long-range attempts through the first 47 games of his debut season, then hit a bit of a rookie wall, going 5-of-25 from deep through the next 12 games of his rookie season. All told, Griffin closed the season shooting 32.3 percent from the trade deadline through the end of the 2022-23 season.

Griffin played a key role for the Hawks but didn't log a minute in the Hawks' opening round postseason matchup against the Boston Celtics. Griffin is an efficient finisher, who also has the ability to be a three-level scorer. 

Robust market

As a side note, the Rockets will face competition for Griffin, as the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls also have interest in the young sharpshooter. Griffin’s market could slightly increase the asking price, but any team adding him should be able to pull it off with multiple second-round picks, which the Rockets have plenty of.