The Los Angeles Lakers have once again found themselves in the midst of another tampering investigation from the NBA after Magic Johnson’s public comments about Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons. But in a rare move, the Lakers are going public about how they saw the interaction between themselves and the Sixers during the ongoing investigation.
In response to Elton Brand’s comments that the Sixers shot the idea down of Ben Simmons working with Lakers boss Magic Johnson, the Lakers released a statement saying that it was the Sixers front office that first brought up the idea.
According to the Lakers, the conversation exchange happened back in November.
“To clarify, last November the 76ers sent an email to the Lakers if Ben Simmons would be able to speak with Magic Johnson about his Hall of Fame career,” the release said. “After receiving the email at the request of the 76ers, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka contacted 76ers general manager Elton Brand and informed him that Magic could only do so if the 76ers gave pre-written approval. That was the end of the matter.”
Indeed, it WAS the end of the matter before Magic brought the whole communique to light with his press conference yesterday in Philadelphia.
If we zoom out, there is nothing inherently wrong with Magic’s statements in a vacuum. But the problem for the Lakers and Magic is, the Lakers don’t exist in a vacuum and the NBA has rules preventing certain language from team executives discussing players on other teams, no matter how famous they are.
While Johnson has made his way to unparalleled success with his off-the-cuff brilliance, the rules of this particular game lie in direct contrast to Johnson’s style. And it could cost the Lakers once more.
