Coleman and Bradley Changed Sides in a Six-Player Deal
On November 30, 1995, New Jersey dealt forward Derrick Coleman, guard Rex Walters and forward Sean Higgins to Philadelphia. The 76ers sent seven-foot-six center Shawn Bradley, guard Greg Graham and forward Tim Perry to the Nets. The league transaction records and both franchises confirm the complete three-for-three trade. Philadelphia wanted an established scoring and rebounding forward rather than waiting for Bradley’s development, while New Jersey sought a towering interior defender after years of turbulence around Coleman. This was not a direct Coleman-for-Bradley exchange. Both teams included two other players whose roster and contract roles influenced the agreement. The transaction occurred early in the 1995-96 season before either club had a settled playoff path.
Coleman Became an Important Philadelphia Frontcourt Scorer
Coleman provided more experienced frontcourt offense than the 76ers had received from Bradley. He could score from the elbows, rebound, and draw defensive attention around younger guards. Philadelphia did not become an immediate contender, and injuries interrupted Coleman’s later seasons, but the franchise obtained a proven former All-Star instead of treating a developing center as the only path forward. His NBA contributions with the Nets before the November transaction do not count as Philadelphia return; the value was the forward’s subsequent work in his new uniform. Walters also contributed guard minutes while Higgins played a smaller supporting role. The inherited 76ers B+ grade reflects the greater experienced offensive contribution without pretending that this single trade created the franchise’s later playoff success around Allen Iverson.
Bradley Was New Jersey’s Center for Only Part of Two Seasons
Bradley added blocked shots and interior reach for the Nets, but his New Jersey tenure was not particularly durable. The club sent him onward to Dallas in the major February 1997 nine-player transaction. Graham and Perry were additional role players rather than long-term New Jersey franchise scorers. The Nets C- inherited grade captures the modest team-specific outcome compared with what Philadelphia received from Coleman. Bradley went on to play many productive years in Dallas, yet those Mavericks seasons belong to the next transaction and cannot be counted as a New Jersey benefit. The deal’s immediate rationale was understandable for both teams, but the realized return favored an established Philadelphia scorer over an asset the Nets moved again relatively quickly.
Final Verdict
76ers Win. Philadelphia earns B+ for Derrick Coleman, Rex Walters and Sean Higgins. New Jersey receives C- for Shawn Bradley, Greg Graham and Tim Perry; Bradley played for the Nets only until February 1997 before being traded again. The larger team-specific offensive return went to Philadelphia.