I'm looking for documentation on this right now. I've heard this several times though.
Basically, a trade exception is like gift certificate good for one player up to a maximum value. Since the trade exception is actually the completion of a previous trade, nothing is allowed to be combined with it to "sweeten" the deal ... so no other players or draft picks.
It's a little confusing because the original trade that creates the trade exception CAN include draft picks although non-synchronous trades like this can only be for one player. So it's not uncommon in the INITIAL trade for draft picks to be included. But when the trade exception is actually used, it's supposed to be for just a player and nothing else.
I'm pretty sure about this, but it is complicated so I won't say I'm 100% sure until I find documentation.
You are wrong. Cash, draft picks, and draft rights are ignored. Example: last year Hornets sent Butler and cash to Clips for TPE and second rounder.
https://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4394050
Similarly Wolves can send Jefferson to us for for TPE and first rounder.
We have the resources Minnesota requested Dallas (which Dallas declined) to get Jefferson. It's just a matter of picking up the phone and getting Jefferson in here instead of sitting pat and hoping for internal improvement. In two years we will need to show Deron some solid pieces around him to convince him to sign. Maybe Jefferson, Millsap, and Hayward will be enough. Certainly sitting on behind and getting stop gaps, like Harrington isn't going to be. We have a real opportunity here to get a 25 year old young, athletic starting center. It pains me to see it being wasted.