As training camp edged closer, Griffin’s appearances — and communication with the organization — diminished,” The Athletic says of AJ Griffin.

As had been expected, the Houston Rockets and A.J. Griffin have agreed to the terms of a buyout the team announced. The buyout is for a reported $250,000 and allows “him to sit out the season while considering whether to continue his career, a person with knowledge of the agreement” told Jonathan Fiegan of the Houston Chronicle.

The Houston Rockets have decided to buy former first-round pick AJ Griffin out of his contract due to the forward's wishes to step away from the NBA and the game of basketball, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

With Friday’s agreement to buy out and waive forward A.J. Griffin, the Rockets have an open roster spot for a player with a standard NBA contract. They will have five players in camp with two-way or training camp contracts. That would seem to make that open spot up for grabs.

With AJ Griffin off the roster, Houston may wait to see what opportunities open up around the league before filling it, Jonathan Feigen suggests.

The Houston Rockets recently announced the release of forward A.J. Griffin. A recent acquisition, Griffin is 21 years old and was set to enter his third NBA season, however, he has decided to step away from basketball.