1996–97 Phoenix Suns season

Professional basketball season March 2026 August 2023 Phoenix Suns 1997 40 42 Pacific 4 7 Cotton Fitzsimmons (resigned) (0–8) Danny Ainge (40–34) Bryan Colangelo America West Arena Jerry Colangelo First round(lost to SuperSonics 2–3) PHO KUTP Fox Sports Arizona Cox Sports KTAR The 1996–97 Phoenix Suns season was the 29th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. Phoenix Suns Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/ August 9, 2026 For the first time since the 1991–92 season, All-Star forward Charles Barkley was not on the Suns opening day roster. Season summary Off-season This season was notable for the Suns drafting point guard Steve Nash out of Santa Clara University with the 15th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. Heisler Mark The Surprises Are Few Los Angeles Times June 27, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-27-sp-22580-story.html June 2, 2023 Bembry Jerry 76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second The Baltimore Sun June 27, 1996 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/06/27/76ers-make-iverson-the-1-philadelphia-takes-georgetown-guard-camby-goes-second/ June 2, 2023 1996 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1996.html June 2, 2023 During the off-season, the team acquired Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown from the Houston Rockets, Associated Press Barkley Confirms His Trade to Rockets The New York Times August 19, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/19/sports/barkley-confirms-his-trade-to-rockets.html July 31, 2021 Associated Press Suns Unload Barkley, Get Four Players from Rockets Los Angeles Times August 19, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-19-sp-35694-story.html May 15, 2022 Barkley Traded to the Rockets The Washington Post August 19, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/19/barkley-traded-to-the-rockets/1f30d680-5188-406f-b2d8-e2e95405d759/ December 3, 2022 and signed free agent Rex Chapman. Associated Press Raptors Sign Benjamin for Backup Role Los Angeles Times October 12, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-12-sp-53136-story.html September 23, 2022 New York Knicks Orlando Sentinel October 12, 1996 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-10-12-9610120175-story.html December 27, 2022 Winderman Ira Chapman Burned Up Over Treatment from Riley, Heat Sun Sentinel November 25, 1996 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-11-25-9611250037-story,amp.html October 13, 2021 Regular season However, despite the addition of Chapman, Cassell and Horry, the Suns struggled losing their first 13 games of the regular season, as Kevin Johnson missed the first eleven games due to a hernia injury. Staff and Wire Reports Suns' Johnson Undergoes Hernia Surgery Los Angeles Times September 28, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-28-sp-48305-story.html October 5, 2022 Suns' K.J. to Miss 6 to 8 Weeks Deseret News September 28, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/9/28/19268321/suns-kj-to-miss-6-to-8-weeks December 27, 2022 Diamos Jason Leave It to the Nets: 0-13 Suns Now 1-13 The New York Times November 28, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/28/sports/leave-it-to-the-nets-0-13-suns-now-1-13.html July 26, 2017 After an 0–8 start to the season, head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons resigned and was replaced with former Suns guard Danny Ainge as the team's new coach. Associated Press Fitzsimmons Opts to Step Aside; Ainge Will Take Over 0-8 Suns The New York Times November 15, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/15/sports/fitzsimmons-opts-to-step-aside-ainge-will-take-over-0-8-suns.html November 18, 2022 Associated Press Fitzsimmons Quits as Suns Remain Winless Los Angeles Times November 15, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-15-sp-64864-story.html April 20, 2023 Ainge Takes Over 0-8 Phoenix Club Las Vegas Sun November 15, 1996 https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/1996/nov/15/ainge-takes-over-0-8-phoenix-club/ July 18, 2021 As the season progressed, the Suns were involved in several trades. In December, the team first traded Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Darrin Hancock, who never played for the Suns and was released to free agency. Heat 101, Mavericks 79 Tampa Bay Times December 5, 1996 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/12/05/heat-101-mavericks-79/ August 26, 2022 Later on that month, the team traded Cassell, second-year star Michael Finley, and A.C. Green to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for All-Star guard Jason Kidd, second-year center Loren Meyer and Tony Dumas. Associated Press Kidd Traded to Suns jn a Six-Player Deal The New York Times December 27, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/27/sports/kidd-traded-to-suns-in-a-six-player-deal.html May 16, 2022 Associated Press Kidd Is Traded to Suns for Cassell, Finley, Green Los Angeles Times December 27, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-27-sp-12906-story.html July 26, 2017 Kidd Sent to Suns in 6-Player Deal The Washington Post December 27, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/12/27/kidd-sent-to-suns-in-6-player-deal/63bdf918-43b6-4da9-b824-b145e273b0c1/ July 11, 2022 In January, the team dealt Horry, and Joe Kleine to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for former Suns forward Cedric Ceballos, and Rumeal Robinson; Brown Clifton Suns Send Unhappy Horry to Lakers The New York Times January 11, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/11/sports/suns-send-unhappy-horry-to-lakers.html July 26, 2021 Associated Press Ceballos Returned to Sender Los Angeles Times January 11, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-11-sp-17532-story.html September 17, 2022 Suns Send Horry to Lakers in 4-Player Deal The Washington Post January 11, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/01/11/suns-send-horry-to-lakers-in-4-player-deal/debb72c8-44b6-47e9-8f62-1303705cb9ed/ December 12, 2022 Robinson was released to free agency after a brief stint with the Suns, and later on re-signed with his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers. This season would not be matched in terms of in-season transactions for the franchise until both the 2014–15, and the 2015–16 seasons. The Suns held a 17–31 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 January 2, 2023 but played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, as the team posted an 11-game winning streak between March and April. The Suns finished in fourth place in the Pacific Division with a 40–42 record, earned the seventh seed in the Western Conference, 1996–97 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1997_games.html June 21, 2021 and qualified for the NBA playoffs for the ninth consecutive year. This team would also be the first, and only NBA team to start out the regular season with a 10+ losing streak, yet make it to the playoffs by the end of the season; not only that, but they would also be the first team to record a 10+ game winning streak, after recording a 10+ game losing streak earlier in the season. Johnson averaged 20.1 points, 9.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while Ceballos averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 42 games after the trade, Chapman contributed 13.8 points per game and 110 three-point field goals, and sixth man Danny Manning provided the team with 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game off the bench. In addition, Wesley Person contributed 13.5 points per game, and led the Suns with 171 three-point field goals, while Kidd averaged 11.6 points, 9.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game in 33 games, Bryant provided with 9.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, but only played just 41 games due to an abdominal strain injury, Associated Press Ceballos Triggers Comeback as Suns Defeat Knicks Again Los Angeles Times January 19, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-19-sp-20265-story.html October 4, 2022 and Hot Rod Williams averaged 8.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Also off the bench, Wayman Tisdale provided with 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, and Nash contributed 3.3 points and 2.1 assists per game. 1996–97 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1997.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Nash was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team. Fry Darrell On to the Next Stage Tampa Bay Times February 8, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/02/08/on-to-the-next-stage/ September 19, 2025 1997 NBA Rising Stars: East 96, West 91 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997_rookie.html September 19, 2025 Johnson finished tied in 17th place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Manning finished tied in seventh place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html January 2, 2022 and Ainge finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Suns finished seventh in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 779,940 at the America West Arena during the regular season. 1996–97 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html October 9, 2025 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1997 NBA playoffs, the Suns faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Pacific Division champion Seattle SuperSonics, who were led by the All-Star trio of Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and Detlef Schrempf. The Suns managed to win Game 1 over the SuperSonics on the road, 106–101 at the KeyArena at Seattle Center, in which Chapman scored 42 points and made 9 out of 17 three-point field-goal attempts; it was a then-record for the most three-pointers made in an NBA playoff game. Associated Press  Chapman's 3-Pointers Sink Sonics  The New York Times  April 26, 1997  https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/26/sports/chapman-s-3-pointers-sink-sonics.html June 4, 2026 Associated Press  Chapman Helps Defeat Seattle  Los Angeles Times  April 26, 1997  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-26-sp-52694-story.html June 4, 2026 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 1: Phoenix Suns at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, April 25, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704250SEA.html May 31, 2026 However, the Suns lost Game 2 to the SuperSonics on the road by a 44-point margin, 122–78. 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 2: Phoenix Suns at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, April 27, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704270SEA.html May 31, 2026 The Suns won Game 3 over the SuperSonics at home, 110–103 at the America West Arena to take a 2–1 series lead, Friend Tom Sonics Fall in Familiar 2-1 Hole The New York Times April 30, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/30/sports/sonics-fall-in-familiar-2-1-hole.html January 18, 2022 Associated Press Suns Beat SuperSonics, Again Los Angeles Times April 30, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-30-sp-53800-story.html October 5, 2022 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Seattle SuperSonics at Phoenix Suns Box Score, April 29, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704290PHO.html May 31, 2026 but then lost Game 4 at home in overtime, 122–115; a memorable highlight of the game featured Chapman hitting a three-point buzzer-beater to send the game into overtime. Condotta Bob  Sonics Keep the Drive Alive: Seattle Survives Amazing Shot for O.T. Win  The Spokesman-Review  May 2, 1997  https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/may/02/sonics-keep-the-drive-alive-seattle-survives/ June 4, 2026 Friend Tom  The Drama Hits Peak for Sonics and Suns  The New York Times  May 3, 1997  https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/03/sports/the-drama-hits-peak-for-sonics-and-suns.html June 4, 2026 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 4: Seattle SuperSonics at Phoenix Suns Box Score, May 1, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705010PHO.html May 31, 2026 With the series tied at 2–2, the Suns lost Game 5 to the SuperSonics at the KeyArena at Seattle Center, 116–92, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Friend Tom Sonics Beat Suns, Dousing Lights on Johnson's Career The New York Times May 4, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/04/sports/sonics-beat-suns-dousing-lights-on-johnson-s-career.html May 13, 2022 Moore Jim Sonics 116, Suns 92 The Washington Post May 4, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/04/sonics-116-suns-92/fb7b0ce4-1af8-470f-becc-3e9a4a749063/ November 25, 2022 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Suns vs. SuperSonics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-western-conference-first-round-suns-vs-supersonics.html February 24, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Person and Dumas were both traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade, Berger Ken Nuggets Send McDyess to Phoenix Associated Press October 1, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/806e4ff7a62141a2ffea2903428a8956 October 29, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170417/https://apnews.com/article/806e4ff7a62141a2ffea2903428a8956 September 20, 2022 dead Associated Press Plus: In the News -- Pro Basketball: McDyess to Suns in Three-Team Deal The New York Times October 2, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/02/sports/plus-in-the-news-pro-basketball-mcdyess-to-suns-in-three-team-deal.html December 4, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Suns Make Trade for McDyess Los Angeles Times October 2, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-02-sp-38410-story.html December 4, 2022 and Tisdale retired. Offseason NBA draft 1996 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 15 Steve Nash Guard Canada Santa Clara 2 39 Russ Millard Forward United States Iowa 2 43 Ben Davis Forward United States Arizona The Suns used their first-round pick to select point guard Steve Nash from Santa Clara. Nash averaged 14.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in four years with the Broncos. On July 24, the Suns signed Nash to a three-year rookie contract for $3.2 million. He would spend his first two seasons with the Suns playing a limited role behind All-Star guards Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd, before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. Nash would later return to the franchise as a free agent in 2004, winning consecutive MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 and ultimately making it to the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor on October 30, 2015. The Suns received the 39th pick from a trade with the Detroit Pistons in 1994. With the pick they would select power forward Russ Millard from Iowa. Millard averaged 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in four years with the Hawkeyes. Millard would sign with Italian club Pallacanestro Varese before the season and would never play in the NBA. The Suns used their second-round pick to select power forward Ben Davis from Arizona. Davis averaged 12.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in two years with the Wildcats. On September 25, the Suns signed Davis to a one-year rookie contract for $220,000. Davis spent much of the year on the injured reserve with a finger injury. He would appear in 20 games, average 1.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 4.9 minutes a game. Davis would sign as a free agent with the New York Knicks after the season. He would later return to the Suns shortly in the 1999–2000 season, appearing in just five games before being waived. Roster Phoenix Suns 1996–97 #423189 #FFFFFF #FF8800 #000000 45 Mike Brown basketball, born 1963 C 6 9 257 1963–07–19 George Washington 2 Mark Bryant basketball F 6 9 245 1965–04–25 Seton Hall 1 Cedric Ceballos F 6 6 190 1969–08–02 Cal State Fullerton 3 Rex Chapman G/F 6 4 185 1967–10–05 Kentucky 43 Ben Davis basketball F 6 9 240 1972–12–26 Arizona yes 27 Tony Dumas G 6 6 190 1972–08–25 UMKC yes 7 Kevin Johnson basketball player G 6 1 180 1966–03–04 California 32 Jason Kidd G 6 4 205 1973–03–23 California 17 Horacio Llamas C 6 11 285 1973–07–17 Grand Canyon 15 Danny Manning F/C 6 10 230 1966–05–17 Kansas 40 Loren Meyer C 6 10 257 1972–12–30 Iowa State 13 Steve Nash G 6 3 195 1974–02–07 Santa Clara 11 Wesley Person G/F 6 6 195 1971–03–28 Auburn 23 Wayman Tisdale F 6 9 240 1964–06–09 Oklahoma 18 John Williams basketball, born 1962 C 6 11 215 1962–08–09 Tulane Danny Ainge Frank Johnson Donn Nelson Paul Silas Regular season Standings PHO PHO Playoffs The Suns came into the playoffs as the seventh seed, facing the 1996 Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. In game one, Rex Chapman set a playoff record with 9 three-pointers, finishing the game with 42 points and leading the Suns to a 106–101 upset in Seattle. The Sonics responded with a 44-point blowout in game two, evening the series 1–1. The Suns recovered at home in game three. After an early 15-point deficit, Wesley Person led the team to a comeback 110–103 victory with 29 points and 10 rebounds. The Suns had a chance to close the series at home in game four. Behind by eleven points in the final two minutes of regulation, the Suns cut to lead to two before fouling Detlef Schrempf with 5.4 seconds remaining. Schrempf would miss the second of two free throws, giving the Sonics a 107–104 lead. Rex Chapman would respond with a famous turnaround three-pointer to send the game into overtime. The Sonics would outscore the Suns 15–8 in extra time to gain a 122–115 victory. The Suns would head back to Seattle tied 2–2 for a deciding fifth game. The Suns turned to small ball, starting four guards (Jason Kidd, Kevin Johnson, Rex Chapman and Wesley Person) along with center Hot Rod Williams. The Sonics would dominate the first half, leading by 22 at the break. A third quarter rally would bring the lead to eight, and a Wesley Person three-pointer to open the fourth quarter brought the lead to just five. But the Sonics would go on a 19–7 run in the final six minutes to claim a 116–92 victory. Game log Phoenix Suns yes 1997 #423189 #FF8800 Phoenix Suns First Round yes yes no #FF8800 #423189 1 1 1 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 25 | @ Seattle | W 106–101 | Rex Chapman (42) | Kevin Johnson (7) | Jason Kidd (10) | KeyArena17,072 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 27 | @ Seattle | L 78–122 | Rex Chapman (18) | Wesley Person (10) | Jason Kidd (8) | KeyArena17,072 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 29 | Seattle | W 110–103 | Wesley Person (29) | Wesley Person (10) | Jason Kidd (10) | America West Arena19,023 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 1 | Seattle | L 115–122 (OT) | Johnson, Kidd (23) | Danny Manning (10) | Jason Kidd (14) | America West Arena19,023 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 3 | @ Seattle | L 92–116 | Wesley Person (26) | Kidd, Person (8) | Jason Kidd (7) | KeyArena17,072 | 2–3 |- PHO yes 1997 Awards and honors Week/Month Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Week for games played March 24 through March 30. Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Month for April. All-Star This was only the third season in franchise history that the Suns were not represented in the All-Star Game, after the 1986 and 1988 seasons. Steve Nash was selected to compete for the Western Conference in the Rookie Challenge. Season Kevin Johnson finished 17th in MVP voting. 1996–97 Regular Season Award Winners Eskimo.com https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards97.txt January 5, 2025 Danny Manning finished seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Injuries/Missed games 10/31/96: Kevin Johnson: Abdominal hernia; placed on injured reserve until November 24 10/31/96: Mark Bryant: Torn knee cartilage; placed on injured reserve until December 6 10/31/96: Hot Rod Williams: Toe surgery; placed on injured list until November 26 11/14/96: Sam Cassell: Flu; did not play 11/23/96: Wayman Tisdale: Shoulder tendinitis; placed on injured list until December 30 11/26/96: Ben Davis: Finger ligament damage; placed on injured reserve until January 12 11/26/96: Sam Cassell: Personal reasons; did not play 11/27/96: Sam Cassell: Personal reasons; did not play 11/29/96: Sam Cassell: Personal reasons; did not play 12/06/96: Darrin Hancock: Bilateral knee bruises; placed on injured reserve until waived on December 10 12/21/96: Joe Kleine: Back spasms; did not play 12/28/96: Kevin Johnson: Flu; did not play 12/30/96: Tony Dumas: Injured finger; did not play 12/30/96: Jason Kidd: Collarbone hairline fracture; placed on injured list until December 14 01/06/97: Robert Horry: Two-game team suspension (threw towel at coach Danny Ainge); out until traded on January 10 01/10/97: Rex Chapman: Sprained ankle; did not play 01/12/97: Tony Dumas: Bruised knee; placed on injured list until April 20 01/13/97: Mark Bryant: Abdominal strain; did not play 01/13/97: Rex Chapman: Sprained ankle; did not play 01/14/97: Mark Bryant: Abdominal strain; did not play 01/14/97: Rex Chapman: Sprained ankle; did not play 01/18/97: Mark Bryant: Abdominal strain; did not play 01/29/97: Rex Chapman: Fractured finger; placed on injured reserve until March 2 02/11/97: Hot Rod Williams: Flu; did not play 02/26/97: Danny Manning: Sore leg; did not play 03/02/97: Ben Davis: Injured finger; placed on injured reserve until March 13 03/09/97: Mark Bryant: Bruised foot; did not play 03/11/97: Mark Bryant: Bruised foot; did not play 03/13/97: Mark Bryant: Bruised foot; did not play 03/13/97: Loren Meyer: Strained lower back; placed on injured list until March 25 03/17/97: Mark Bryant: Bruised foot; placed on injured reserve until April 20 03/22/97: Cedric Ceballos: Bruised knee; did not play 03/26/97: Cedric Ceballos: Bruised knee; did not play 03/28/97: Cedric Ceballos: Bruised knee; did not play 03/28/97: Wayman Tisdale: Personal reasons; did not play 03/30/97: Wayman Tisdale: Personal reasons; did not play 04/02/97: Wayman Tisdale: Personal reasons; did not play 04/05/97: Ben Davis: Injured finger; placed on injured reserve until April 20 04/15/97: Wesley Person: Flu; did not play 04/18/97: Wesley Person: Flu; did not play 04/19/97: Danny Manning: Injured foot; did not play Player statistics Season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Boney, Dexter Dexter Boney 8 0 6.0 .316 .167 .750 0.8 0.0 .3 .1 2.4 Brown, Chucky Chucky Brown* 10 0 8.3 .500 . .727 1.6 0.4 .0 .02 3.4 Brown Mike Mike Brown 6 1 13.8 .417 . .600 4.2 0.8 .2 .3 2.7 Bryant, Mark Mark Bryant 41 18 24.8 .553† . .704 5.2 1.1 .5 .1 9.3 Cassell, Sam Sam Cassell* 22 9 24.5 .415 .306 .855# 2.3 4.5 1.0 .3 14.8 Ceballos, Cedric Cedric Ceballos* 42 32 27.3 .464 .259 .737 6.6 1.2 .7 .4 15.3 Chapman, Rex Rex Chapman 65 33 28.2 .443 .350 .832 2.8 2.8 .8 .1 13.8 Davis, Ben Ben Davis 20 0 4.9 .385 . .450 1.4 0.0 .2 .1 1.5 Dumas, Tony Tony Dumas* 6 1 8.5 .316 .250 .500 0.3 0.5 .0 .2 2.3 Finley, Michael Michael Finley* 27 18 29.5 .475 .255 .812 4.4 2.5 .7 .1 13.0 Green, A. C. A.C. Green* 27 19 20.3 .477 .000 .646 5.1 0.6 .7 .0 5.7 Horry, Robert Robert Horry* 32 15 22.5 .421 .308 .640 3.7 1.7 .9 .8 6.9 Johnson, Kevin Kevin Johnson 70 70 38.0 .496 .441^ .852# 3.6 9.3 1.5+ .2 20.1 Kidd, Jason Jason Kidd* 33 23 35.5 .423 .400 .688 4.8 9.0 2.4+ .4 11.6 Kleine, Joe Joe Kleine* 23 10 15.9 .400 1.000^ .722 3.5 0.5 .4 .3 3.4 Llamas, Horacio Horacio Llamas 20 2 5.1 .536 . .500 0.9 0.2 .5 .3 1.7 Manning, Danny Danny Manning 77 17 27.7 .536† .194 .721 6.1 2.2 1.1 1.0 13.5 Meyer, Loren Loren Meyer* 35 17 12.8 .446 .600^ .712 2.7 .3 .1 .3 5.4 Nash, Steve Steve Nash 65 2 10.5 .423 .418 .824 1.0 2.1 .3 .0 3.3 Person, Wesley Wesley Person 80 42 29.1 .453 .413 .798 3.7 1.5 1.1 .2 13.5 Robinson, Rumeal Rumeal Robinson* 12 0 7.3 .471 .300 .250 0.6 0.7 .1 .0 3.0 Tisdale, Wayman Wayman Tisdale 53 15 14.7 .426 . .625 2.3 0.4 .2 .4 6.5 Williams, John John "Hot Rod" Williams 68 66 31.4 .490 .000 .672 8.3 1.5 1.0 1.3 8.0 * – Stats with the Suns. † – Minimum 300 field goals made. ^ – Minimum 82 three-pointers made. # – Minimum 125 free throws made. + – Minimum 50 games played. Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Brown Mike Mike Brown 4 0 6.8 .400 . .875 1.0 0.3 .0 .0 2.8 Bryant, Mark Mark Bryant 4 0 9.0 .400 . 1.000# 1.0 0.0 .0 .0 2.8 Ceballos, Cedric Cedric Ceballos 5 0 21.4 .333 .250 1.000# 5.2 0.6 .8 .6 6.6 Chapman, Rex Rex Chapman 5 5 38.2 .494 .458 .680 3.2 2.6 .4 .0 24.2 Johnson, Kevin Kevin Johnson 5 5 41.6 .295 .136 .879 4.4 6.0 2.6 .0 16.8 Kidd, Jason Jason Kidd 5 5 41.4 .396 .364 .526 6.0 9.8 2.2 .4 12.0 Manning, Danny Danny Manning 5 0 23.2 .578 .000 .933# 6.0 1.4 .8 1.4 13.2 Meyer, Loren Loren Meyer 3 0 4.7 .000 .000 . 2.0 0.3 .0 .7 0.0 Nash, Steve Steve Nash 4 0 3.8 .222 .250 . 0.3 0.3 .2 .2 1.3 Person, Wesley Wesley Person 5 1 32.6 .472 .424 .778 6.6 1.2 .8 .6 15.6 Tisdale, Wayman Wayman Tisdale 4 4 9.0 .400 . . 1.8 0.0 .0 .0 3.0 Williams, John John "Hot Rod" Williams 5 5 21.0 .533 . .400 4.6 0.6 .4 1.6 4.0 # – Minimum 10 free throws made. Player statistics citation: Transactions Trades August 19, 1996 To Houston Rockets USA Charles Barkley 1999 second-round draft pick (USA Tyrone Washington) To Phoenix Suns USA Sam Cassell USA Robert Horry USA Mark Bryant USA Chucky Brown September 25, 1996 To Milwaukee Bucks USA Elliot Perry To Phoenix Suns USA Marty Conlon 1999 first-round draft pick (USA James Posey) December 4, 1996 To Milwaukee Bucks USA Chucky Brown To Phoenix Suns USA Darrin Hancock Conditional 1997 second-round draft pick December 26, 1996 To Dallas Mavericks USA Sam Cassell USA Michael Finley USA A.C. Green 1998 second-round draft pick (USA Greg Buckner) To Phoenix Suns USA Jason Kidd USA Loren Meyer USA Tony Dumas January 10, 1997 To Los Angeles Lakers USA Robert Horry USA Joe Kleine To Phoenix Suns USA Cedric Ceballos USA Rumeal Robinson Free agents Additions Date Player Contract Former Team October 2, 1996 Evric Gray Undisclosed Chicago Bulls October 11, 1996 Rex Chapman Signed one-year contract Miami Heat January 31, 1997 Dexter Boney Signed two 10-day contracts San Antonio Spurs February 21, 1997 Horacio Llamas Signed two 10-day contracts Grand Canyon Antelopes March 13, 1997 Horacio Llamas Signed for rest of season Phoenix Suns April 5, 1997 Mike Brown Signed for rest of season Philadelphia 76ers Subtractions Date Player Reason left New team July 1, 1996 Terrence Rencher Free agent Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA) July 19, 1996 Chris Carr Free agent Minnesota Timberwolves October 22, 1996 Evric Gray Waived New Jersey Nets October 29, 1996 Marty Conlon Waived Boston Celtics October 29, 1996 Mario Bennett Waived Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA) October 29, 1996 John Coker Waived Toronto Raptors December 11, 1996 Darrin Hancock Waived Atlanta Hawks February 14, 1996 Rumeal Robinson Waived Portland Trail Blazers February 20, 1997 Dexter Boney Waived Florida Beach Dogs (CBA) Player transactions citation: 1996–97 Phoenix Suns Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1997_transactions.html July 2, 2021 References Suns on Database Basketball Suns on Basketball Reference Category:Phoenix Suns seasons Phoenix