why do you think Sac wouldn't take Jackson at 4?
They could. But everything I've been reading indicates they covet Fox. Taking Jackson or trading the pick after we trade it to them doesn't land them Fox. Each team has their preferences.
Now we don't know if it is true they covet Fox, but our front office probably does if there's been discussions for 5 and 10. Since we're in the catbird seat, we can ask them what they are planning to do.
One thing about our FO discussing all these options is it shows we're willing to do what is best for our team. Taking Fox... possibility. Trading for Unicorn... possible. Taking Jackson... possible. Trading the pick to someone else... possible. Or something entirely different. So we can, with a straight face say we're looking at all these options. At the very least some do appear credible.
I think all these reports show us to be very flexible. If we can't do this, we might have plan b, or c. If we don't, the media sure cooked it up for us. They have us potentially doing ~7-10 different things.
It then comes down to Sacramento wanting to roll the odds everything falls their way or secure the guy they *may* covet before someone else jumps them, and whether or not we believe Sacramento told us the truth.
Maybe a Porzingis trade won't lose them Fox, but maybe that #4 pick being involved in a LMA/Butler/Paul George trade might. It's a lot of uncertainty.
Having #5 and 10 could then help us do other things.
It also depends how good Sac's FO is. It is generally assumed they are a dysfunctional franchise (to whatever degree, but generally ownership). Maybe they can get fleeced. Or not. But if you're talking with them and saying... well we might be close with this team, but if you want to do that #5 and 10 deal right now... we will. That might be enough to bite.
The process itself is putting us in a prime position. It may not lead us to anything, but we can potentially play it to our advantage. In other words we're in the seat where we can tell other people at various points... it's now or we have X team on the line.