Magic Got Screwed by Presti-S.A. Connection

Following up on our Thursday post describing how Sam Presti basically runs the NBA comes the news he tried to get even more for expiring big man Kurt Thomas. John Denton of Florida Today reports Presti tried to squeeze two first-round picks (along with expiring contracts) out of Orlando GM Otis Smith before instead turning to his former employer, the San Antonio Spurs, and doing the deal for just one pick.

There's no ethical problem with that -- Presti can deal with whomever he wants, and it'd be hard to argue he's not acting in the best interest of the future of the franchise considering the heists he's pulled off so far. But... there's little chance San Antonio's single pick (2009) will ever be better than any Orlando pick. The better deal, as far as I can tell, would have been with Orlando.

More surprising for me: Presti didn't repay Orlando's Smith for the inexplicable sixth year the Magic offered Rashard Lewis, which set this whole draft pick bonanza off in the first place. (The Sonics have six first round picks over the next three years, and seven more seconds.) If Smith doesn't offer Shard an extra year, necessitating the sign-and-trade which netted Presti a massive trade exception, then Phoenix never sends two firsts with Kurt to Seattle, and Kurt's not available at the deadline for another first. You'd think, if you were Otis Smith, that all might count for something. Apparently not.