1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics season
The 1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 6th season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association. The team finished the regular season in 6th place in the Western Conference with a 26–56 record, 21 wins behind the one obtained in their previous season. Head coach Tom Nissalke was fired by the team in January after a 13–32 start and was replaced by his assistant Bucky Buckwalter.Offseason
The offseason trade that sent player-coach Lenny Wilkens to the Cleveland Cavaliers was received with shock from fans and the player himself. The trade also sent Barry Clemens to the Cavaliers and brought All-Star Butch Beard to the Sonics.
The signing of free agent John Brisker cost the SuperSonics a $10,000 fine and the resignation of their 1973 first round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for violation of league rules that prohibited the team to approach Brisker without contacting the Sixers, who selected him in a supplemental draft in 1969 and held the rights to the player. However, Seattle regained its first round pick after an appeal and the Sonics' second round selection was given to the 76ers.Draft picks
Note: only draft picks who participated in at least one game in the NBA are listed.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 7 | Isaac Stallworth | Guard / Forward | United States | Kansas |
| 2 | 18 | Joby Wright | Center / Forward | United States | Indiana |
| 2 | 23 | Brian Taylor | Guard | United States | Princeton |
| 3 | 40 | Jim Creighton | Forward | United States | Colorado |
Roster
Depth chart
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Player statistics
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 73 | – | 19.2 | .439 | – | .714 | 2.4 | 3.4 | – | – | 6.6 |
| 70 | – | 23.3 | .435 | – | .822 | 4.6 | 2.1 | – | – | 12.8 |
| 79 | – | 29.4 | .455 | – | .818 | 4.0 | 5.5 | – | – | 13.5 |
| 26 | – | 5.1 | .286 | – | .444 | 2.2 | .4 | – | – | .8 |
| 12 | – | 8.3 | .435 | – | .875 | .5 | 1.3 | – | – | 2.8 |
| 74 | – | 33.0 | .515 | – | .808 | 11.2 | 2.4 | – | – | 11.4 |
| 77 | – | 42.3 | .476 | – | .839 | 12.9 | 2.5 | – | – | 29.2 |
| 3 | – | 5.7 | .444 | – | 1.000 | 2.0 | .7 | – | – | 3.0 |
| 68 | – | 16.1 | .399 | – | .700 | 5.1 | 1.1 | – | – | 5.6 |
| 56 | – | 19.7 | .326 | – | .615 | 4.0 | .9 | – | – | 4.5 |
| 82 | – | 37.3 | .463 | – | .861 | 3.9 | 3.8 | – | – | 13.8 |
| 77 | – | 15.9 | .379 | – | .754 | 2.9 | .8 | – | – | 6.3 |
| 53 | – | 20.0 | .431 | – | .574 | 2.4 | 3.5 | – | – | 6.6 |
| 77 | – | 12.1 | .478 | – | .416 | 2.8 | .5 | – | – | 3.9 |
Overview
Trades
