Anonymous sources drive media coverage of the NBA's free agency period, but former Blue Devil big man Jahlil Okafor did not take kindly to a report that targeted him.
Okafor has been the subject of several trade rumors this offseason as the Philadelphia 76ers attempt to cash in on their surplus of young frontcourt players, and Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times cited an NBA source that said Okafor was "upset" about Philadelphia's efforts to trade him in a story published Saturday evening.
The 6-foot-11 center lashed out at the report on Twitter Sunday, denying the rumors and reaffirming his commitment to the 76ers for the upcoming season.
One second I'm reportedly upset to be in Philly, then the next I'm upset about trade rumors and having to leave Philly.
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) July 11, 2016
Which one is it? Source please confirm. Seems like writers are getting lazy, dropping a fraudulent story and try to make it credible by
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) July 11, 2016
Using that magic word.... Sources! Lol stop it.
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) July 11, 2016
With all that being said. I love where I am, and I am excited about this upcoming season. Big season for us! #Philly
— Jahlil Okafor (@JahlilOkafor) July 11, 2016
Philadelphia was just 10-72 last year during Okafor's first season, but the Chicago native was a first-team All-Rookie team selection after averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 53 contests. His season was cut short by a season-ending knee injury.
Okafor was suspended for two games last December after video surfaced of an altercation with a fan outside a nightclub in Boston.
The 76ers look to be on the rise heading into this season, though, after drafting Ben Simmons with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, and they will try to win at least 20 games for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Philadelphia also added former Duke guard Gerald Henderson in free agency.
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