NBA Rumors: OKC Russell Westbrook Announces Joel Embiid Max Contract Bid; Sixers C Threaten Steven Adams, Enes Kanter?

By Mitch de Leon
Stephen Curry
Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers appears to be done waiting for a Joel Embiid full recovery. With two more promising center players on deck, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, the team is said to look into dislodging the injured star this offseason. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the Oklahoma City Thunder came running when a Joel Embiid trade finally opened recently.

Russell Westbrook and his squad are pegged to become one of the most widely anticipated NBA teams in the league this season. With the departure of Kevin Durant via free agency, the Steven Adams team has been raring to have a go on the Golden State Warriors as their former leader joined Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Due to this goal in mind, the Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to be ruthless in their offseason moves this time.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers offer something the Russell Westbrook squad might just need - a promising young star who can, later on, become the face of the Oklahoma City Thunder. With an abundance of players in the center post, the Sixers are earlier already anticipated to open their doors to an NBA trade. While a Jahlil Okafor trade had once been the main target of the other teams in the league, it looks like the Philadelphia 76ers are now more keen on releasing Joel Embiid instead.

The NBA journey of Joel Embiid had been cut short by injury. Although he was initially pegged to become one of the most promising centers in the NBA, the young Sixers star failed to prove his mettle as he fell victim to his body's limits. This forced the Philadelphia 76ers to draft Jahlil Okafor, thereby crowding the center role on the roster.

Rumors are rife that the Sixers are mulling over the idea of making Jahlil Okafor the main star in the lineup with Nerlens Noel as the backup. While some fans feel that a Joel Embiid return could still be possible, the NBA team is running out of time. Moreover, the entry of Ben Simmons in the group eliminates their need to groom the injured center as the face of the franchise.

At this point, though, no comment has been given by any of the parties concerned. The Oklahoma City Thunder remain focused on proving the Kevin Durant fans wrong. That is, Russell Westbrook and his team are gearing up to show that the super team of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and the 2014 NBA MVP will not be enough to stop the Enes squad from dominating this season.

  • ‘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