The Atlanta Hawks completed a draft-day deal on day two of the 2024 NBA Draft, sending guard AJ Griffin to the Houston Rockets, in exchange for the 44th pick. The Hawks in turn traded, Pelle Larsson, the 44th pick, to the Miami Heat for the rights to guard/forward, Nikola Djurisic.
This marks the end of a short-tenure for Griffin as an Atlanta Hawk, whom they selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft. Griffin had a decent start to his Hawks’ career, posting 8.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 72 games for the Hawks during his rookie season. He was limited to just 20 games this past season with a lingering ankle injury. Griffin will now look for a fresh start in Houston.
Djurisic is most likely a developmental player, but the 20-year old from Serbia, averaged 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists, in 30 games with Mega MIS of the Adriatic League. This deal most likely creates more room for Zacchaire Risacher, whom the Hawks selected number one overall Wednesday night.
