[OutsiderFan]

It almost certainly went something like this:

The Giants were offered ostensibly greater value than a compensatory draft pick if both guys didn't sign after getting qualifying offers. Why else would the Giants trade them if the trade offer wasn't better than the value of a QO compensatory pick would give them? Makes zero sense to trade otherwise and the buyers know this. But the Giants wanted a premium higher than any team was willing to pay.

I'd guess on a scale of a 1-10 price, the Giants wanted at least a 9 for Bum and they would have taken a 6 for Smith, but they weren't going to trade Smith if they kept Bum, or keep Bum if they traded Smith. The Giants were offered a 7 or 8 for Bum, but nothing more, so they walked away.  Let's assume for argument's sake, that a compensatory pick is valued at 5.

Translation: The Giants valued Bum way more than the market. This is exactly the problem the Giants have had that got them into the mess they are now in. They overvalue their players to their detriment, lots of times for sentimental reasons.  Bill Walsh and Bill Belichick would not approve, and neither do I.

[OutsiderFan]

It almost certainly went something like this:

The Giants were offered ostensibly greater value than a compensatory draft pick if both guys didn't sign after getting qualifying offers. Why else would the Giants trade them if the trade offer wasn't better than the value of a QO compensatory pick would give them? Makes zero sense to trade otherwise and the buyers know this. But the Giants wanted a premium higher than any team was willing to pay.

I'd guess on a scale of a 1-10 price, the Giants wanted at least a 9 for Bum and they would have taken a 6 for Smith, but they weren't going to trade Smith if they kept Bum, or keep Bum if they traded Smith. The Giants were offered a 7 or 8 for Bum, but nothing more, so they walked away.  Let's assume for argument's sake, that a compensatory pick is valued at 5.

Translation: The Giants valued Bum way more than the market. This is exactly the problem the Giants have had that got them into the mess they are now in. They overvalue their players to their detriment, lots of times for sentimental reasons.  Bill Walsh and Bill Belichick would not approve, and neither do I.