NBA Rumors: Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook to Join Forces in OKC Thunder in 2017

By Carlo Monzon
Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin

There have already been talks about Blake Griffin leaving the Los Angeles Clippers soon. And, according to rumors, it seems his new home will be the Oklahoma City Thunder to play ball with Russell Westbrook.

After Kevin Durant departed OKC to join the Golden State Warriors and form the NBA's next super team, the Thunder have been faced with the problem of rebuilding its roster.

Of course, in order to be a title contender, the team needs to find stronger players who can serve as better replacements to Durant. Currently, OKC has Westbrook, who the organization is depending on to carry the team to next year's finals.

But, no matter how skilled a player is, he won't be able to lead a team to a championship title without the help of his teammates. According to Hoops Habit, this is exactly what the Thunder prepared for in signing Westbrook.

After Durant left OKC, there have been rumors that Westbrook would exit too. That's because he reportedly felt that there would be no one left to assist him on the floor. Previously, he was with Durant and James Harden. But these two went their separate ways, Westbrook was left all alone.

So, to motivate Westbrook to stay with the team, the Thunder reportedly promised him that they would get Griffin from the Clippers.

However, it seems the OKC organization is not in a hurry to sign him since it is not planning on acquiring him through a trade. Instead, the Thunder will wait for Griffin's contract with the Clippers to expire in 2017. After that, the team will go after him in next offseason's free agency period, Morning News USA reported.

Aside from Westbrook, another athlete that would benefit from Griffin's signing with OKC is the team's center Steven Adams. At 23 years old, Adams has already showed what he can do on the court and is in fact a candidate to next season's Most Improved Player award.

Like Griffin, Adams is also a high-IQ player who is capable of reading plays and reacting accordingly. With this skill, both Adams and Griffin can provide effective screens and establish a deadly frontcourt for the Thunder.

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories