Ben Simmons shows off his funny side after Magic Johnson tampering saga resolved

Ben Simmons still has his sense of humour after being embroiled in a tampering storm because of LA Lakers president Magic Johnson.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 29: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers brings up the ball during a 121-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

The NBA says Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson did not break any league tampering rules when he spoke about Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons earlier this week — and the Sixers star could see the funny side to the whole affair.

The NBA’s relatively quick-moving investigation was initiated after it was revealed that Simmons wanted to meet with Johnson to talk about the art of being an elite point guard. Johnson complimented Simmons publicly on Sunday.

“I love his game. I love his vision,” Johnson said.

But since that was in response to a media inquiry, the NBA says Johnson was permitted to make such comments.

“We have concluded that Magic Johnson’s statements regarding Ben Simmons do not constitute a tampering violation,” the league said in a statement.

“The Philadelphia 76ers initiated the contact with the Los Angeles Lakers by requesting a meeting between Johnson and Simmons. Both organisations ultimately concluded that such a meeting did not make sense at this time but in that context, Johnson’s response to a media inquiry regarding Simmons does not run afoul of league rules.”

The Lakers have been previously fined for tampering violations twice since 2017, those violations costing the team a combined $550,000.

While Johnson’s comments caused a stir, Simmons took the mickey out of the situation as the 76ers prepared to face the Boston Celtics today.

NBC Sports Philadelphia writer Noah Levick took to Twitter to let the world in on the young Aussie’s sense of humour.

“Ben Simmons walked into the locker room, sat down and said, ‘That’s like the 10th time Magic has called me today,’” Levick wrote.

“After pausing for a second, he clarified that he was, of course, joking.”

Nothing to see here.

The NBA’s verdict comes after 76ers boss Elton Brand was forced to apologise to Johnson and the Lakers for making misleading comments in a radio interview where he appeared to suggest it was Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka who called him out of the blue to request permission to speak to the Aussie.

In an interview with 97.5 The Fanatic on Tuesday (AEDT) Brand said: “Rob Pelinka called me and said that Ben wanted to talk to Hall of Famers after the season

“Magic was on the list. He asked for authorisation... I said no.”

Elton Brand called Magic Johnson Monday afternoon to apologize for insinuating that the Lakers had called —unprompted— to ask permission for Johnson to speak with Sixers forward Ben Simmons in a radio interview Monday morning, league sources told ESPN.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 12, 2019

Wow! If this is the case Elton Brand and the 76ers completely misrepresented the truth. But Magic has been blurring the lines on the strength he is Magic, an NBA legend. Pay attention to how Michael Jordan stays in the background and very little to say about otehr players. https://t.co/sK7QmMXUnC

— Terrance Harris (@TerranceHarris) February 12, 2019

The Lakers then released a statement of their own to set the record straight that the 76ers initiated the conversations.

“To clarify, last November the 76ers sent an email to the Lakers asking if Ben Simmons would be able to speak with Magic Johnson about his Hall of Fame playing career,” The Lakers said in a statement.

“After receiving the email request from 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 him pre-written approval. That was the end of the matter.”

—with AP

Originally published as Ben Simmons shows off his funny side after Magic Johnson tampering saga resolved