TRENTON -- Several aides to President Donald Trump regret the decision to actually throw away Gov. Chris Christie's transition plans, according to a report by the New York Times.

The report, published Saturday, examines how Trump often relies on people outside the White House for advice. Christie, a longtime friend, is among the 20 counselors listed in the piece.

The Times makes reference to months of reports that Christie and Jared Kushner, Trump's New Jersey-bred son-in-law and senior adviser, have a chilly relationship, and how that was reportedly part of the reason Christie was dumped as the chairman of Trump's transition team after the election in November.

The newspaper reported in February that a senior Trump aide "made a show of tossing" Christie's plans "into a garbage can."

But multiple reports in recent weeks said Christie still enjoys a close relationship with Trump, a former Atlantic City casino magnate, often speaking to him on the phone. Several people close to Christie have confirmed that to NJ Advance Media.

Trump has also named the New Jersey governor as chairman of a task force to find ways to fight the nation's opioid addiction epidemic.

The Times reported in Saturday's piece that Kushner has "shown a capacity to hobble his rivals, but few have been finished off."

"The most durable has been Mr. Christie, whose transition planning, several West Wing aides now concede, should not have been discarded," the report said. "He has been a frequent Oval Office visitor and has worked with the White House on the opioid addiction crisis."

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.