Lakers release statement trying to clarify Ben Simmons contact, prove they didn’t tamper

The Lakers do not want another Magic Johnson related tampering fine, but there is a history there. The latest issue came up over the weekend when Magic Johnson said in Philadelphia that Ben Simmons had wanted to sit down with him and pick his brain as the best big guard ever to play in the league. Simmons wants to meet with other Hall of Famers as well — Dr. J, Kobe Bryant — but Magic poses a special problem because he is the Lakers team president.