Amid the close-battled postseason series with the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers' fans had an idea that executive Lawrence Frank would trade Norman Powell in the summer and find a way to help Ivica Zubac in the frontcourt, and behind him in the second unit, through the draft or a trade proposal.
At that time, Bradley Beal seemed to most likely be in the valley until his horrendous contract ended. Rumors of the Phoenix Suns trying to trade him had gone around, but Beal's no-trade-clause consent was mandatory.
Conversely, Frank had a strategy to bring in Beal that was hidden until Powell was traded to the Miami Heat.