Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said he shut down the possibility of franchise point guard Ben Simmons seeking advice from Hall of Famers, which included Los Angeles Lakers legend and president Magic Johnson:

“[Lakers GM] Rob Pelinka called me and said that Ben (Simmons) wanted to talk to Hall of Famers after the season, Magic was on the list. He asked for authorization… I said no,” Brand told 97.5 The Fanatic. “This was over a month ago.”

The Klutchification of the Lakers has been non-stop, whether it is luring Anthony Davis or reaching out to stir the pot with LeBron James' fellow Klutch Sports client Ben Simmons. Magic mentioned over the weekend the possibility of mentoring Simmons in the offseason.

Both players will be alongside James on Feb. 17 during the All-Star Game, playing for Team LeBron and being given a taste of what it's like to share the court with King James.

Brand put a stop to a potential meeting between Simmons and Johnson, one that easily could breach the lines of tampering if talks with Simmons, who is still under contract, go past tutoring in basketball.

The Sixers know Simmons is a pillar to their newly formed All-Star studded lineup, and losing him to Magic and company could represent problems for the franchise moving forward.

It seems there's little that Philly can do from stopping it, though, as James and longtime friend Rich Paul have an advantage no other player in the league has: deep connections to a sports agency that can change the landscape of the league, as they have done with Davis' very public trade request and the ensuing smoke that emanated from his demand.