I also have trouble following the logic to perceived value as stated by the OP. For example statements like we never should have traded for IT because it cost us Myles Turner are followed by I would never trade IT for Jabari Parker. This follows closely the point the OP is trying to make that many would never trade the BKN pick for Okafor, wouldn't trade Smart for PHO #1 but would trade Smart for Okafor.
If you are really lucky with a pick like the one we have from BKN in 2016, you get a player like Okafor or Parker. If you are unlucky, you get Anthony Bennett, Otto Porter, Dion Waiters, Thomas Robinson or even Joel Embiid (albeit he may still actually play).
Nobody is going to trade these picks until the lottery I predict. Then we will see. I am more of a bird in hand guy I guess because I would not trade Smart short of the #1 (which PHO would never trade) and I would trade the BKN pick for Okafor. Okafor and Smart have shown they can play in the NBA. The picks might be Anthony Bennett or Dion Waiters. The chance of getting the next Durant is so low it is not worth risking getting Antony Bennett.