1995–96 Phoenix Suns season


The 1995–96 NBA season was the 28th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Suns acquired Hot Rod Williams from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Head coach Paul Westphal, who had led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, went 14-19 before being replaced by Cotton Fitzsimmons, who would come on to coach in his third stint with the Suns. They finished fourth in the Pacific Division, and seventh in the Western Conference with a 41–41 record. The Suns were eliminated from the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, three games to one, in the Western Conference first round. All home games were played at America West Arena. They were one of the eight teams to defeat the 72–10 Chicago Bulls.
Charles Barkley led the Suns for the fourth consecutive year in both points and rebounds, averaging 23.2 and 11.6 on the season. Point guard Kevin Johnson again led the team in assists, averaging 9.2 per game to go with his 18.7 points per game. Michael Finley, a rookie from Wisconsin, who appeared in all 82 regular season games, was third in scoring, averaging 15 points per game, 39.2 minutes per game, and was later named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Despite playing all 82 games, Finley suffered an ankle injury on the final day of the regular season, and did not play in any of the Suns' playoffs games.
Barkley made his 10th consecutive All-Star Game. The power forward, who had turned 33 years of age during the season, made his 11th All-NBA Team, appearing as a selection on the Third Team. It was the first time in Barkley's career he had not been selected to the First or Second Team. Following the season, Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets, and Elliot Perry was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
121Michael FinleyGuard/ForwardUnited StatesWisconsin
127Mario BennettForwardUnited StatesArizona State
256Chris CarrGuardUnited StatesSouthern Illinois

The Suns received the 21st pick from a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1994. With the pick they would select future All-Star swingman Michael Finley from Wisconsin. Finley averaged 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in four years with the Badgers. On October 4, the Suns signed Finley to a three-year rookie contract for $2.17 million. In his rookie season, Finley would average 15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. Finley was traded to the Dallas Mavericks midway through his sophomore season for All-Star point guard Jason Kidd.
The Suns used their first-round pick to select small forward Mario Bennett from Arizona State. Bennett averaged 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Sun Devils. On October 4, the Suns signed Bennett to a three-year rookie contract for $1.66 million. Bennett underwent knee surgery before the season and remained on the injured reserve until March 1. Bennett would appear in just 19 regular season games, starting in 14 due to injuries, and two playoff games before being waived prior to the 1996–97 season.
The Suns used their second-round pick to select shooting guard Chris Carr from Southern Illinois. Carr averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Salukis. On October 2, the Suns signed Carr to a one-year rookie contract for $200,000. Carr appeared in 60 regular season games, starting in ten, and three playoff games. Carr would sign as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the season.

Roster

Regular season

Standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

Game log

Awards and honors

Week/Month

Season

† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 82 three-pointers made.
  1. – Minimum 125 free-throws made.

    Playoffs

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions