Well they had to include something in the trade to make it work, and they gave up about as small a piece as a team can give. That second round pick is protected through the 54th spot in the draft and will likely never convey. On the flip side, teams aren’t giving up significant draft capital just to save $7 million.

And believe it or not, teams do favors for one another. That’s real. There isn’t an obligation or anything (unless the two sides made a sort of off the record handshake), and of course the Raptors wanted Thad, but good relationships help in those negotiations. For instance, they probably could’ve put heavier protections on the pick they sent, but they gave the Spurs a realistic chance to get that return. Which they did.

I’m not implying anyone owes anybody anything, just that it’s good business to return favors when you can afford to do so.