It seems like in every draft, the picks get overvalued. If Teague was traded for a 12th pick, what the heck could you get for a 5th pick?
In this draft, probably quite a bit. But as to the value of the 12th. I think it depends on the situation of the team. Are you trying to get into the playoffs? Are you in a rebuild mode? Are you already a playoff team, but you feel you need some important depth to move up a notch or two? The Kings and the Pistons are on two different paths. So their needs are different, and the way they might value a player like Koufos, or Temple is different. Neither Koufos or Temple are in the long range plans of the Kings, but they both serve a short term purpose. The question is, how valuable is that purpose when compared to the long range value of a young talented player in the draft.?
In the Pistons case, they would look at either Koufos or Temple as having far more value in the immediate than a rookie you could get with the 12th pick. Especially with a coach like SVG, who looks at rookies like they're pall bearers for his coffin. Yes, both Temple and Koufos are bench players, but they're highly valued bench players around the league. From the Kings point of view, do we need one more young player? Probably not! So it would depend on who that young player is, and how he fits in the long range plans of the team. If your just shooting arrows in the air in hope that one of them hits the target, then I'd rather keep both Koufos and Temple.
This is the sort of trade you would make on draft day when you would know exactly who you would be drafting at 12. Personally I think the draft has several tiers. Fultz is in one tier all by himself. then there is the second tier of about 4 players made up of Jackson, Ball, Tatum, and Fox. The third tier is made up of Smith (some would have him in that 2nd tier) Isaac, Markkanen, Monk, Ntilikina, and perhaps Zach Collins. That's eleven players. After that, there's another drop off. So you can see where I'm going with this. Were talking about the 12th pick, which is right on the edge of the drop off. Of course someone could, and probably will slide. If the Pistons had the 10th pick, they might not be talking about trading it.
Let me add one more thing. I've done my share of criticizing Smith. But if he comes to the NBA with the right attitude, he would be just one notch below Fultz. If he comes with the right attitude, he's the 2nd best PG in this draft. Of course that's a big if for me. I had these same reservations about Drummond, and while he had a terrific rookie season, he's now living up to my expectations. I'm not looking for a quarter horse who quits at the quarter mile mark. I want a thoroughbred who runs the entire distance. That said, if I'm going to gamble at all in this draft, I'd gamble on Smith if Fox is gone.
Another classic case of over-valuing draft picks. I especially do not agree with your player comparisons. Koufos and Temple have both "started" quite a few games in the Association. But you have a right to your opinion