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Report: Brand apologized to Magic for radio interview

David Dow / National Basketball Association / Getty

Elton Brand took step back from his proclamation that Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka attempted to get permission - unprompted - for team president Magic Johnson to speak with Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons about how to play as a "big guard."

The 76ers general manager called Johnson on Monday to apologize for insinuating in an interview with radio station 97.5 The Fanatic that the Lakers contacted him without warning for authorization to arrange the meeting, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

As it turns out, it was Simmons' brother who came up with the idea, which was then relayed to a Sixers employee who emailed the Lakers, sources told Shelburne.

Brand told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that he has a "great relationship" with Simmons and his agent, Rich Paul, and that their collective focus is on the playoffs.

"I had brief dialogue with Rob Pelinka, who I've known for a long time, but nothing is planned," Brand said of the potential meeting. "Our collective focus is on making a postseason push. Again, we're not sweating this - end of story."

The NBA began an investigation Monday to determine whether there was any contact made between Simmons and the Lakers which violated league rules. The organization was fined on two separate occasions over the last two years for violating anti-tampering rules, one of which came at a price tag of $500,000.

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