The 1995–96 NBA season was the 28th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Suns acquired Hot Rod Williams from the Cleveland Cavaliers.[2] The Suns struggled with a 13–13 start to the season, then lost eight of their next nine games. Head coachPaul 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.[3] The team played above .500 for the remainder of the season and finished fourth in the Pacific Division, and seventh in the Western Conference with a 41–41 record.[4] The Suns were eliminated from the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, three games to one in the Western Conference First Round.[5] All home games were played at America West Arena. They were also one of the nine teams to defeat the 72–10 Chicago Bulls.
Charles Barkley led the Suns with 23.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while point guardKevin Johnson averaged 18.7 points, led the team with 9.2 assists, and contributed 1.5 steals per game in only 56 games due to injury. In addition, top draft pick Michael Finley, a rookie from the University of Wisconsin,[6] appeared in all 82 regular season games, averaging 15.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while leading the team with 39.2 minutes per game, and was later named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.[7] 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' playoff games.[8] Sixth man Danny Manning averaged 13.4 points per game off the bench, but only played just 33 games due to a torn ACL, and sprained ankle.[9][10] Second-year guard Wesley Person provided the team with 12.7 points per game, while Wayman Tisdale contributed 10.7 points per game off the bench, Elliott Perry contributed 8.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, A.C. Green provided with 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and Hot Rod Williams averaged 7.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, and led the team with 1.5 blocks per game.[7]
Barkley also made his 10th consecutive All-Star appearance, being selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.[11] 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 after four seasons in Phoenix,[12] and Perry was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks.[13]
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 swingmanMichael 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 guardJason Kidd.
The Suns used their first-round pick to select small forwardMario 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 guardChris 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.
Charles Barkley was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his tenth consecutive All-Star selection. Barkley finished first in voting among Western Conference players with 1,268,195 votes.
Other Suns players receiving All-Star votes were: A. C. Green (269,175).