UCI Alum Brooks Traded to Minnesota

The Philadelphia 76ers, faced with the prospect of not choosing until 47th in the NBA draft, traded 5-foot-11 guard Scott Brooks to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 32nd pick Tuesday.

“We felt that by picking at No. 32, there’s a chance to get a player equivalent to somebody that might be available at No. 20,” said coach Jim Lynam. “That’s the type of draft that this is. We felt that in order to improve our team, we had to take advantage of that.”

Brooks, a favorite among Philadelphia fans, was not drafted out of UC Irvine in 1987. He attended the Sixers’ veterans camp in 1987-88, was released and then signed as a free agent in September, 1988.

He averaged 4.4 points and 2.9 assists in 72 games last season.

Brooks will join fellow UC Irvine alum Tod Murphy, a starting forward for the Timberwolves during the 1989-90 season. Brooks and Murphy played together on the Anteaters’ 1986 team.

Choosing 47th today would have left the Sixers, the Atlantic Division champions, little or no chance of getting a player that would help them immediately.

Before the trade, personnel director Bob Weinhauer said that unless the Sixers could make a deal, they wouldn’t get the shot-blocker or big back-up swing guard they list as top priorities.

The Sixers now are paying the price of obtaining Rick Mahorn last fall from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who received Philadelphia’s first-round pick in the deal.

Tuesday afternoon, Weinhauer predicted the 76ers would do something to improve their position.

“We have many irons in the fire. Some will simmer; some will cool down; some will heat up,” Weinhauer said.