The 1968–69 Phoenix Suns season was the inaugural season for the Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...

 of the National Basketball Association

National Basketball Association

The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...

. In the season Suns' debut, head coach

Head coach

A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...

 Red Kerr lead the franchise to its first win in a victory over the Seattle SuperSonics

Seattle SuperSonics

The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...

. No other season for the Suns contained as many losses as the franchise's first season, and it would not be long before the team provided the city of Phoenix with its first opportunity to host a home playoff game. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...

.

Dick Van Arsdale

Dick Van Arsdale

Richard Albert Van Arsdale is a former professional basketball player and coach, and a current NBA executive. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University, Van Arsdale was selected by the New York Knickerbockers in the 2nd round...

 would become the franchise's first All-Star selection when he was selected to play in the 1969 All-Star Game

1969 NBA All-Star Game

GAME 19: at Baltimore, Jan. 14, 1969MVP: Oscar RobertsonCoaches: East: Gene Shue, West: Richie Guerin.Network: ABC-Eastern Conference: -Western Conference: -Score by Periods: *Halftime— East, 60-53*Third Quarter— East, 86-83...

. He was the team's second leading scorer at 21 points

Point (basketball)

Points in basketball are used to keep track of the score in a game. Points can be accumulated by making field goals or free throws ....

 per game, behind eventual Hall of Fame member Gail Goodrich

Gail Goodrich

Gail Charles Goodrich Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He is best-known for scoring a then record 42 points in the 1965 NCAA championship game vs. Michigan, and his part in the Los Angeles Lakers' 1971–72 season...

, who averaged 23.8, the seventh-highest in the league for the season.

Standings

Western Division

Team	W	L	PCT.	GB
Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	55	27	.671
Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...	48	34	.585	7
San Francisco Warriors	41	41	.500	14
San Diego Rockets	37	45	.451	18
Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...	33	49	.402	22
Seattle SuperSonics Seattle SuperSonics The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...	30	52	.366	35
Phoenix Suns	16	66	.195	39

NBA Expansion Draft

Along with the other expansion team that joined the league in 1968, the Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....

, the Suns participated in the league's fourth expansion draft.

Player	Pos.	Nationality	revious team	Years of NBA experience	Career with the franchise	Ref.
	G		San Diego Rockets Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...	6	—
	G		New York Knicks New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...	4	—
^	G		Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	3	–
	F		Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	1	—
	F/C		New York Knicks New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...	2	–
	F/C		San Francisco Warriors Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	1
	G		Detroit Pistons Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...	1	—
	G/F		Baltimore Bullets Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...	1	–
	F/C		Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...	4
	G		Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...	1	—
	G		Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...	2	—
	G/F		Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...	2	–
	C		Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...	1	—
	F/C		Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...	5	—
+	G/F		New York Knicks New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...	3	–
	G		Baltimore Bullets Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...	1	—
	G/F		Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	1	–;
	C		Seattle SuperSonics Seattle SuperSonics The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...	4

Notes Number of years played in the NBA prior to the draft Career with the expansion franchise that drafted the player Never played a game for the franchise
Key

Pos.	G	F	C
Position Basketball position The three basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are guard, forward, and center. More specifically, they can be classified into the five positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and...	Guard	Forward	Center

NBA Draft

The expansion Suns took part in the 1968 NBA Draft

NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...

. It was the 22nd draft in the NBA.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
1	8	Gary Gregor Gary Gregor Gary W. Gregor is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'7" forward/center from the University of South Carolina, Gregor played in the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association as a member of the Phoenix Suns , Atlanta Hawks , Portland Trail Blazers ,...	F/C		South Carolina South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball The South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the Southeastern Conference. The program attained national prominence under hall of fame coach Frank McGuire, posting a 205-65 record and three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances from 1967-1976...
2	22	Dick Cunningham Dick Cunningham Dick Cunningham is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'10" center, Cunningham led NCAA Division I in rebounding as a junior at Murray State University with a school-record 21.8 rebounds per game in the 1966-67 season. He was selected to the All-Ohio Valley Conference basketball...	C		Murray State Murray State Racers men's basketball Murray State Racers men's basketball program represents intercollegiate men's basketball at Murray State University. The school competes in the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play home games at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky. Steve...
3	36	Art Beatty	F		American American Eagles men's basketball The American Eagles men's basketball team represents American University in Washington, D.C. in NCAA Division I competition. The school's team competes in the Patriot League and play their home games in Bender Arena.-2008 season:...
4	49	Rich Jones Rich Jones Rich Jones is an English guitarist born in Coventry in 1973. He has since lived and played music in Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles before settling in London, England....	F/C		Memphis
5	64	Harry Hollines			Denver
6	77	Rod Knowles	F/C		Davidson Davidson Wildcats men's basketball The Davidson Wildcats basketball team is the basketball team that represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA Division I. The school's team currently competes in the Southern Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008. The...
7	92	Charles Parkes			Idaho State
8	105	Brian Clare			Denver
9	120	Mervin Jackson Mervin Jackson Mervin P. Jackson, Jr. is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'3" guard from the University of Utah, Jackson played in the American Basketball Association from 1968 to 1973 as a member of the Los Angeles Stars, Utah Stars, and Memphis Tams...	G		Utah Utah Utes men's basketball The University of Utah Utes have consistently been one of the most successful basketball programs in the NCAA. They are currently an NCAA Division I program that plays in the Pacific-12 Conference. The school has made the NCAA Tournament 26 times, which ranks 16th in NCAA history and 3rd behind...
10	133	Lee Davis Lee Davis Lee Davis is a retired basketball player who played for eight seasons in the American Basketball Association. A center and forward during his career, he played for five different ABA teams and played in an ABA All-Star Game in 1970....	C/F		North Carolina Central North Carolina Central University North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels....
7	92	Ron Boone Ron Boone Ronald Bruce Boone is a retired American Basketball Association player.During his years at Tech High in North Omaha, Nebraska, Boone stood 6'2" and weighed 175 pounds....	G/F		Idaho State
12	160	Bill Davis Bill Davis William Grenville "Bill" Davis, was the 18th Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1971 to 1985. Davis was first elected as the MPP for Peel in the 1959 provincial election where he was a backbencher in Leslie Frost's government. Under John Robarts, he was a cabinet minister overseeing the education...			Arizona Arizona Wildcats men's basketball The Arizona Wildcats basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I. They are currently coached by Sean Miller.Arizona has a long and rich...
13	171	Pat Hobbard

Roster

Depth chart

Pos.	Starter	Bench	Reserve	Inactive
C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...	Jim Fox Jim Fox (basketball) James L. Fox is an American former professional basketball player. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia.A 6'10" center, Fox played one season at the University of South Carolina, where he led his team in both scoring and rebounding...	Neil Johnson Neil Johnson (basketball) Neil A. Johnson is a retired American basketball player.A 6'7" forward/center from Creighton University, Johnson played four seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns , then spent three seasons in the American Basketball Association...
PF Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...	Gary Gregor Gary Gregor Gary W. Gregor is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'7" forward/center from the University of South Carolina, Gregor played in the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association as a member of the Phoenix Suns , Atlanta Hawks , Portland Trail Blazers ,...	Dave Lattin Dave Lattin David "Big Daddy D" Lattin was the starting center for the Texas Western Miners in their NCAA championship year in 1966. During his playing career, he was listed at 6 feet 6 inches tall, and 225 pounds....
SF Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...	Dick Snyder Dick Snyder Richard J. Snyder is an American former National Basketball Association player for the St. Louis Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Snyder attended college at Davidson College, and was drafted by the Hawks in the second round of the 1966 NBA Draft...	Stan McKenzie Stan McKenzie Stanley McKenzie is an American 6'5" retired American professional National Basketball Association player. McKenzie played college basketball at New York University. He was selected by the Baltimore Bullets in the 11th round of the 1966 NBA Draft.-External links:* @ basketballreference.com...
SG Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...	Dick Van Arsdale Dick Van Arsdale Richard Albert Van Arsdale is a former professional basketball player and coach, and a current NBA executive. A graduate of Indianapolis Emmerich Manual High School, the 6'5" guard played collegiately at Indiana University, Van Arsdale was selected by the New York Knickerbockers in the 2nd round...	Bob Warlick Bob Warlick Robert Warlick was an American professional basketball player.Warlick was born in Hickory, North Carolina and attended Ridgeview High School. The 6'5" guard/forward played at Pueblo Junior College in Colorado, where he was named National Junior College Player of the Year, then transferred to...
PG Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...	Gail Goodrich Gail Goodrich Gail Charles Goodrich Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He is best-known for scoring a then record 42 points in the 1965 NCAA championship game vs. Michigan, and his part in the Los Angeles Lakers' 1971–72 season...

Player statistics

Player	GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	PPG
	7	2.6	.000	.667	0.3	0.4	0.6
*	51	38.8	.470	.734	13.3	2.8	13.8
	81	40.0	.411	.747	5.4	6.4	23.8
	80	27.3	.415	.649	8.9	1.2	11.1
	80	16.5	.481	.621	5.0	1.7	5.8
*	8	5.0	.286	.333	1.1	0.0	1.1
	68	14.5	.410	.634	4.8	0.7	6.0
	80	19.6	.427	.763	3.1	1.5	9.3
*	31	22.9	.385	.773	5.4	1.6	11.8
	81	26.0	.472	.725	4.0	2.6	12.1
	80	42.4	.442	.705	6.9	4.8	21.0
*	63	15.5	.423	.606	2.4	2.1	8.0
*	41	31.6	.397	.616	12.3	1.9	11.6

* - Stats with the Suns.

Trades

August 27, 1968	To Boston Celtics Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which... Em Bryant Em Bryant Emmette Bryant is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'1" guard from DePaul University, Bryant played eight seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Buffalo Braves...	To Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US... 1969 second-round draft pick 1969 NBA Draft The 1969 NBA Draft was the 23rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 7, 1969 and May 7, 1969 before the 1969–70 season. In this draft, 14 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year...
September 11, 1968	To Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:... Dennis Hamilton	To Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US... 1969 third-round draft pick 1969 NBA Draft The 1969 NBA Draft was the 23rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 7, 1969 and May 7, 1969 before the 1969–70 season. In this draft, 14 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year...
September 12, 1968	To Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center.... Dick Cunningham Dick Cunningham Dick Cunningham is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'10" center, Cunningham led NCAA Division I in rebounding as a junior at Murray State University with a school-record 21.8 rebounds per game in the 1966-67 season. He was selected to the All-Ohio Valley Conference basketball...	To Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US... John Arthurs John Arthurs John Charles Arthurs is a retired American basketball player.Arthurs played college basketball for the Tulane University, where he was an All-American in 1969. He scored 1,501 points in three seasons, graduating as Tulane's all-time leading scorer. He also served as a first baseman for Tulane's... Future second-round draft pick Cash considerations
December 17, 1968	To Detroit Pistons Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where... McCoy McLemore McCoy McLemore McCoy McLemore was an American former college and professional basketball star of the 1960s and 1970s.McLemore attended Jack Yates High School...	To Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US... Jim Fox Jim Fox (basketball) James L. Fox is an American former professional basketball player. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia.A 6'10" center, Fox played one season at the University of South Carolina, where he led his team in both scoring and rebounding... 1969 third-round draft pick 1969 NBA Draft The 1969 NBA Draft was the 23rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 7, 1969 and May 7, 1969 before the 1969–70 season. In this draft, 14 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year...
January 20, 1969	To Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA... George Wilson	To Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US... Jerry Chambers Jerry Chambers Jerome Purcell "Jerry" Chambers is a retired American professional basketball player. At 6'5" and 185 pounds, he played as a forward....

Additions

Date	Player	Former Team
October 18, 1968	Ed Biedenbach Ed Biedenbach -External links:...	Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
November 8, 1968	Bob Warlick Bob Warlick Robert Warlick was an American professional basketball player.Warlick was born in Hickory, North Carolina and attended Ridgeview High School. The 6'5" guard/forward played at Pueblo Junior College in Colorado, where he was named National Junior College Player of the Year, then transferred to...	Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....

Subtractions

Date	Player	Reason Left	New Team
November 6, 1968	Rod Knowles	Waived	New York Nets (ABA American Basketball Association The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:... )
November 21, 1968	Ed Biedenbach Ed Biedenbach -External links:...	Waived	n/a