The Rockets tried to move up to the 20th pick, and had a deal arranged with Miami. But as the draft unfolded, the deal was lost. The 76ers acquired the Heat pick to take Jason Smith of Colorado State. The Heat moved back one slot to select Daequan Cook of Ohio State.

The Rockets would have used the pick to take Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez, who brings tremendous speed, though he likely will remain overseas for one more season.

Fernandez went two picks before the Rockets' selection, with the Trail Blazers moving up to snag him with the Suns' pick. The Rockets then grabbed Brooks, getting the speed they coveted, though in a smaller (5-10 1/2 ) package.

"We didn't know (the trade would fall through) until the pick," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "The direction we had gotten from the team up until that point was we were getting it. Then the draft unfolded unexpectedly for them, and their guy was there.

"We didn't get the top guy we were looking for, but Aaron was the next guy. We feel very good coming out with Aaron."