Hawks trade AJ Griffin to Rockets for No. 44 pick in NBA draft, AP source says

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks moved back into the NBA draft on Thursday by trading forward AJ Griffin to the Houston Rockets for the No. 44 pick, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced.

The Hawks made French teen Zaccharie Risacher the No. 1 overall pick in the draft Wednesday night. It was Atlanta's only pick in the draft before Thursday's trade.

The trade of Griffin, a 2022 first-round pick, helps to clear playing time for Risacher, a wing.

Griffin was limited by injuries, including an ankle sprain, to 20 games this season. He averaged 8.9 points and 2.2 rebounds while playing in 72 games, including 12 starts, as a rookie in the 2022-23 season.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin dribbles down court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, March 21, 2023, in Atlanta. The Hawks have moved back into the NBA draft by trading Griffin to the Houston Rockets for the No. 44 pick on Thursday, June 27, 2024 according to a person familiar with the deal. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz)

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