Powell may be the most interesting trade candidate for the Clippers, whether that is this offseason or at the February deadline, in what could be their effort to find a difference-maker with size. But Powell is a valuable on- and off-ball player who may be needed to begin the season with the Clippers, given Harden’s high workload from last season and Leonard’s challenges with durability and availability. “Norm extension conversations actually can’t start until July,” Frank said. “At the appropriate time, we’ll sit with Norman and his representative to talk about an extension and what it would look like and how it would fit in the bigger picture.”

It has been frequently reported this month that the Sixers were exploring the prospect of trading down a couple spots in the lottery if a team near Philadelphia’s No. 3 overall selection was also willing to take on the Paul George’s contract as part of the transaction. “Nonsense,” said one league source briefed on Philly’s thinking.