Turning multiple smaller TPEs into one large one.
Isn't this honestly the best part of this deal?
What are the chances we can get a Rondo type player with that TPE? Is it better than resigning him?
There are honestly a number of factors that could make this trade better (flipping Wright for another first, your example of picking up a quality player, our first falling into the late lottery and picking up someone who actually will contribute, etc), but the fact still remains that at its roots, it is a disappointing return for a star-level player.
It's kind of like saying the Gasol for Gasol trade was a fair one - of course in hindsight it was, but at the time it was an all-star big man for the 45th pick in the draft.