NBA News: Joel Embiid Asks Free Agent LeBron James To Join Sixers

Count Philadelphia 76ers draft pick Joel Embiid among free agent superstar LeBron James' many suitors this offseason.

Embiid, who the 76ers selected with the third pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, seems intent on playing alongside James next season. The 20-year-old took to Twitter on Tuesday to pitch the four-time NBA MVP on taking his talents to Philadelphia.

“Hey bro hope you’re having a good day…..Want to join us in philly? Peace,” Embiid wrote to James on Twitter. The post received nearly 15,000 retweets, but James did not issue a response.

Rather than accept James’ silence, Embiid once against tweeted at him on Wednesday. “Been a day.. still waiting for [LeBron James] to answer me like (TAPE DELAY GUYS) how can you do that to me? @espn,” he wrote.

Embiid’s mention of a “tape delay” referred to a moment that occurred during ESPN’s broadcast of the 2014 NBA Draft. When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the 76ers had drafted Embiid, ESPN’s cameras appeared to show the seven-footer react to the news with disdain. However, subsequent video of Embiid’s reaction made it clear that ESPN’s initial footage aired on tape delay, USA Today's For The Win blog noted.

James has yet to respond to either of Embiid’s messages. Philadelphia is one of seven NBA franchises with the cap space to offer James his desired maximum contract, but the Sixers are not considered to be true contender to acquire his services.

The star forward recently opted out of the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat. However, James can still choose to sign a new contract with the franchise.

The Heat are considered the frontrunner in the race to sign James, but several other franchises, including the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets remain potential landing spots.