Philadelphia 76ers acquire Derrick Coleman in six-player trade with New Jersey Nets

Jet, Dec 18, 1995

The slumping Philadelphia 76ers recently made a deal with the New Jersey Nets in which the Sixers acquired star power forward Derrick Coleman in a six-player deal.

Coleman, a former No. 1 overall draft pick and a highly respected NBA power forward, had been dissatisfied with things in New Jersey and demanded a trade.

"For us it was sad we had to give up on a No. 1 draft pick , a guy that was an All-Star," Nets General Manager Willis Reed said. "But basically, Derrick said he did not want to play for the New Jersey Nets, and we tried to accommodate him."

In addition to Coleman, the 76ers will get guard Rex Walters and forward Sean Higgins. The 76ers traded 7-foot-6 center Shawn Bradley, guard Greg Graham and forward Tim Perry.

Sixers Vice President of Operations and General Manager John Lucas was thinking about firing the team's head coach-Lucas, himself-following seven-game losing streak by the club. Maybe this trade will infuse the 76ers and he will keep his three jobs.

The Sixers have lost nine of its last 10 games and are off to a dismal 2-10 start and a woeful seven-game losing streak in which the 76ers have been outscored by an average of 22 points in six of those losses.

Lucas has discussed several ways to fix the team's slump. One of the options include firing himself. Following a recent 45-minute team meeting at practice, Lucas said it might be time for a new coach.

The Nets were 5-8 in the NBA, with having won their last game at JET press time.