AROUND the NBA:

[F Gump]

I don't know if its still the case, but I recall that early 2nd round picks were actually considered more valuable than late firsts due to flexibility with contracts.  That pick is in the same vicinity of Brunson and where Memphis snaked Bane from us.  I'm not saying its super valuable, but it was an asset and so was Grimes.  I hope Caleb Martin turns out to be worth it.  He had a nice playoff run a few years ago in Miami, but he was a disappointment in Philly and he is damaged goods.  If we were simply looking for better trade ballast, it seems like we should have had the asset coming back.

I think Nico is a dolt when it comes to negotiating trades. In fact, negotiating anything. 

So I have no argument about whether to slam the net return (vs assets) in that trade itself. In fact, I actually think a better negotiator might have GAINED a pick, in taking Martin (if we assume PHI had 2nd thoughts on his deal), rather than given up one. He should have AT LEAST gotten some sort of pick swap in return, or maybe a future 2nd, in exchange for that pick that PHI clearly prized.

I don't think Nico has a clue on gleaning a pick here or there in trade (he seems to have learned at the feet of Cuban, who hated picks and was also a horrendous negotiator), and I agree this was a good example of a time when he left opportunity on the table.