1979–80 Phoenix Suns season

The 1979–80 Phoenix Suns season was the 12th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and at 55–27, the team's best regular season record since the franchise's inception. The Suns defeated Western Conference foe Kansas City in the opening round of the playoffs, marking the first time the Suns had won a playoff series in back-to-back seasons. In the Western Conference semifinals, the Suns would lose to the Pacific-winning Los Angeles Lakers, who later went on to win the season's championship. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod, his seventh season with the team, and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

1979–80 Phoenix Suns season
Head coachJohn MacLeod
General managerJerry Colangelo
OwnersKarl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch
ArenaArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record55–27 (.671)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Lakers 1–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKPNX
RadioKTAR
< 1978–79 1980–81 >

Paul Westphal led the Suns in scoring with a 21.9 point-per-game average and earned All-NBA First Team honors, while Walter Davis was second in team scoring with a 21.5 average. Both Westphal and Davis would return as selections to the All-Star Game. Truck Robinson and Alvan Adams provided an inside presence, averaging 17 and 15 points per game to go with nine and eight rebounds each. Robinson would play in just three of the eight Suns' playoff games, however.

Offseason

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NBA draft

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RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
122Kyle MacyGuard  United StatesKentucky
224Johnny HighGuard  United StatesNevada
364Al GreenGuard  United StatesLouisiana State
486Malcolm CesareForward  United StatesFlorida
5107Mark EatonCenter  United StatesCypress JC
6127Dale ShackelfordForward  United StatesSyracuse
7147Ollie MatsonForward  United StatesPepperdine
8165Charles JonesCenter  United StatesAlbany State
9183Hosea ChampineGuard  United StatesRobert Morris
10201Korky NelsonCenter  United StatesSanta Clara

Roster

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1979–80 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F/C33Adams, Alvan6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)210 lb (95 kg)1954-07-19Oklahoma
G23Bratz, Mike6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)1955-10-17Stanford
G10Buse, Don6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)190 lb (86 kg)1950-08-10Evansville
F/C45Cook, Jeff6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)215 lb (98 kg)1956-10-21Idaho State
G/F6Davis, Walter6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)193 lb (88 kg)1954-09-09North Carolina
C35Forrest, Bayard   (IN)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)235 lb (107 kg)1954-07-08Grand Canyon
F24Heard, Garfield6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)219 lb (99 kg)1948-05-03Oklahoma
G22High, Johnny6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)1957-04-25Nevada
C53Kelley, Rich7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)235 lb (107 kg)1953-03-23Stanford
F50Kramer, Joel  6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)203 lb (92 kg)1955-11-30San Diego State
F21Robinson, Leonard6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg)1951-10-04Tennessee State
F14Scott, Alvin6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)185 lb (84 kg)1955-09-14Oral Roberts
G44Westphal, Paul6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg)1950-11-30USC
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

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Standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers6022.73237–423–1819–11
x-Seattle SuperSonics5626.683433–823–1818–12
x-Phoenix Suns5527.671537–518–2219–11
x-Portland Trail Blazers3844.4632226–1512–2913–17
San Diego Clippers3547.4272524–1711–3013–17
Golden State Warriors2458.2933615–269–328–22
#
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Los Angeles Lakers6022.732
2y-Milwaukee Bucks4933.59811
3x-Seattle SuperSonics5626.6834
4x-Phoenix Suns5527.6715
5x-Kansas City Kings4735.57313
6x-Portland Trail Blazers3844.46322
7San Diego Clippers3547.42725
8Chicago Bulls3052.36630
9Denver Nuggets3052.36630
10Utah Jazz2458.29336
11Golden State Warriors2458.29336

Record vs. opponents

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1979–80 NBA records
TeamATLBOSCHICLEDENDETGSWHOUINDKCKLALMILNJNNYKPHIPHOPORSASSDCSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta2–41–14–21–16–02–02–44–20–21–11–14–24–24–21–12–05–11–10–22–03–3
Boston4–22–04–22–06–02–06–04–21–10–22–05–15–13–31–12–04–22–00–22–04–2
Chicago1–10–22–02–41–14–21–10–23–31–51–51–10–21–11–53–30–24–22–42–40–2
Cleveland2–42–40–21–16–02–02–42–42–01–10–23–33–31–51–10–24–21–10–21–13–3
Denver1–10–24–21–11–13–31–11–10–61–53–31–11–10–21–52–41–13–31–53–31–1
Detroit0–60–61–10–61–11–11–51–50–20–21–12–42–41–50–20–22–40–20–21–12–4
Golden State0–20–22–40–23–31–11–11–13–31–50–62–00–20–22–42–40–23–30–63–30–2
Houston4–20–61–14–21–15–11–14–20–20–21–13–33–32–41–11–13–32–01–12–02–4
Indiana2–42–42–04–21–15–11–12–41–10–20–22–44–21–50–22–02–41–10–21–14–2
Kansas City2–01–13–30–26–02–03–32–01–12–43–31–11–11–11–51–51–15–13–36–02–0
Los Angeles1–12–05–11–15–12–05–12–02–04–23–32–02–01–13–32–42–05–14–26–01–1
Milwaukee1–10–25–12–03–31–16–01–12–03–33–31–11–10–24–25–10–24–22–44–21–1
New Jersey2–41–51–13–31–14–20–23–34–21–10–21–12–41–51–10–23–31–11–11–13–3
New York2–41–52–03–31–14–22–03–32–41–10–21–14–20–62–02–04–21–10–21–13–3
Philadelphia2–43–31–15–12–05–12–04–25–11–11–12–05–16–01–12–04–21–11–11–15–1
Phoenix1–11–15–11–15–12–04–21–12–05–13–32–41–10–21–16–01–12–44–26–02–0
Portland0–20–23–32–04–22–04–21–10–25–14–21–52–00–20–20–61–14–21–53–31–1
San Antonio1–52–42–02–41–14–22–03–34–21–10–22–03–32–42–41–11–12–01–11–14–2
San Diego1–10–22–41–13–32–03–30–21–11–51–52–41–11–11–14–22–40–23–35–11–1
Seattle2–02–04–22–05–12–06–01–12–03–32–44–21–12–01–12–45–11–13–35–11–1
Utah0–20–24–21–13–31–13–30–21–10–60–62–41–11–11–10–63–31–11–51–50–2
Washington3–32–42–03–31–14–22–04–22–40–21–11–13–33–31–50–21–12–41–11–12–0

Game log

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1979–80 game log
Total: 55–27 (home: 36–5; road: 19–22)
October: 7–4 (home: 4–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
1October 12Golden StateW 97–89Paul Westphal (25)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,785
1–0W 1
2October 14ChicagoW 112–102Walter Davis (20)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,039
2–0W 2
3October 16SeattleW 102–86Alvan Adams (26)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,253
3–0W 3
4October 19@ MilwaukeeL 94–95Paul Westphal (29)MECCA Arena
10,938
3–1L 1
5October 20@ ChicagoL 104–116Alvan Adams (32)Chicago Stadium
12,117
3–2L 2
6October 21@ Kansas CityL 85–122Truck Robinson (21)Kemper Arena
6,648
3–3L 3
7October 23MilwaukeeL 108–114Truck Robinson (34)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,538
3–4L 4
8October 24@ Golden StateW 110–108 (OT)Paul Westphal (37)Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6,296
4–4W 1
9October 26@ SeattleW 92–86Walter Davis (22)Kingdome
18,514
5–4W 2
10October 28@ PortlandW 89–88Paul Westphal (25)Memorial Coliseum
12,66
6–4W 3
11October 30San AntonioW 142–109Truck Robinson (23)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,489
7–4W 4
November: 9–5 (home: 6–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
12November 2@ Los AngelesL 110–112Alvan Adams (29)The Forum
14,344
7–5L 1
13November 6@ UtahW 120–107Paul Westphal (31)Salt Palace
6,197
8–5W 1
14November 7San DiegoL 102–114Alvan Adams (23)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,097
8–6L 1
15November 9ClevelandW 110–106Truck Robinson (25)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,911
9–6W 1
16November 11DenverW 116–91Truck Robinson (26)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,118
10–6W 2
17November 14IndianaW 104–100Walter Davis (30)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,762
11–6W 3
18November 16PortlandW 98–97Walter Davis (32)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,464
12–6W 4
19November 18Golden StateL 95–99Walter DavisArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,409
12–7L 1
20November 20@ San DiegoL 110–117Walter Davis (23)San Diego Sports Arena
6,992
12–8L 2
21November 21Kansas CityW 128–120Walter Davis (28)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,704
13–8W 1
22November 23Los AngelesW 126–112Paul Westphal (25)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
14–8W 2
23November 24@ DenverW 115–101Walter Davis (40)McNichols Sports Arena
13,664
15–8W 3
24November 25@ PortlandW 87–86Walter Davis (22)Memorial Coliseum
12,666
16–8W 4
25November 28@ SeattleL 116–127Paul Westphal (30)Kingdome
28,248
16–9L 1
December: 10–5 (home: 6–0; road: 4–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
26December 1ChicagoW 99–86Truck Robinson,
Paul Westphal (17)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
17–9W 1
27December 4@ New YorkL 114–118Paul Westphal (35)Madison Square Garden
11,042
17–10L 1
28December 5@ New JerseyL 100–115Walter Davis (28)Rutgers Athletic Center
5,162
17–11L 2
29December 7@ BostonL 92–100Walter Davis (27)Boston Garden
15,320
17–12L 3
30December 8@ PhiladelphiaL 96–117Truck Robinson (19)The Spectrum
12,051
17–13L 4
31December 11@ WashingtonW 123–99Paul Westphal (27)Capital Centre
8,216
18–13W 1
32December 13HoustonW 121–113Walter Davis (31)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,841
19–13W 2
33December 15DetroitW 126–105Walter Davis (32)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,844
20–13W 3
34December 19UtahW 117–99Paul Westphal (20)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,501
21–13W 4
35December 21@ ChicagoW 127–117Truck Robinson (27)Chicago Stadium
5,706
22–13W 5
36December 22@ Kansas CityW 115–111Paul Westphal (30)Kemper Arena
8,868
23–13W 6
37December 23@ MilwaukeeW 106–103Paul Westphal (26)MECCA Arena
10,938
24–13W 7
38December 26PortlandW 119–99Truck Robinson (21)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
25–13W 8
39December 28Kansas CityW 118–112Paul Westphal (31)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
26–13W 9
40December 30@ Los AngelesL 105–113Paul Westphal (29)The Forum
15,544
26–14L 1
January: 9–5 (home: 7–1; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
41January 2@ San AntonioL 109–118Truck Robinson (29)HemisFair Arena
8,276
26–15L 2
42January 5@ HoustonL 110–111Paul Westphal (26)The Summit
9,122
26–16L 3
43January 9Golden StateW 113–100Walter Davis (19)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,706
27–16W 1
44January 12@ Golden StateL 96–107Walter Davis (19)Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
9,547
27–17L 1
45January 13UtahW 106–103Paul Westphal (28)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,725
28–17W 1
46January 15@ DenverW 107–99Paul Westphal (19)McNichols Sports Arena
13,057
29–17W 2
47January 16@ UtahW 115–108Truck Robinson (27)Salt Palace
6,588
30–17W 3
48January 17AtlantaW 101–99Paul Westphal (29)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
31–17W 4
49January 19San DiegoW 137–123Paul Westphal (30)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
32–17W 5
50January 23New YorkL 109–119Paul Westphal (27)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,504
32–18L 1
51January 25MilwaukeeW 110–96Truck Robinson (23)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
33–18W 1
52January 27PhiladelphiaW 125–118Paul Westphal (26)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
34–18W 2
53January 29@ San DiegoL 121–133Truck Robinson (31)San Diego Sports Arena
11,428
34–19L 1
54January 30DenverW 122–114Paul Westphal (30)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,069
35–19W 1
February: 8–5 (home: 4–1; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
55February 6Kansas CityW 97–95Walter Davis (21)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,310
36–19W 2
56February 8@ ChicagoW 113–109Mike Bratz (20)Chicago Stadium
10,403
37–19W 3
57February 10@ MilwaukeeL 107–109Walter Davis (27)MECCA Arena
10,938
37–20L 1
58February 13BostonW 135–134Paul Westphal (34)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
38–20W 1
59February 15WashingtonW 116–104Truck Robinson (26)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
39–20W 2
60February 17New JerseyW 128–98Paul Westphal (24)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,466
40–20W 3
61February 19@ ClevelandL 109–128Walter Davis (32)Coliseum at Richfield
5,739
40–21L 1
62February 21@ DetroitW 125–116Paul Westphal (49)Pontiac Silverdome
5,317
41–21W 1
63February 22@ AtlantaL 104–111Alvan Adams (19)Omni Coliseum
13,150
41–22L 1
64February 24@ IndianaW 113–105Walter Davis (29)Market Square Arena
9,174
42–22W 1
65February 26@ DenverL 112–121Truck Robinson (25)McNichols Sports Arena
11,149
42–23L 1
66February 27MilwaukeeL 110–119 (OT)Walter Davis (24)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,683
42–24L 2
67February 28@ UtahW 111–101Paul Westphal (30)Salt Palace
6,903
43–24W 1
March: 12–3 (home: 9–0; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
68March 2Los AngelesW 125–115Paul Westphal (25)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
44–24W 2
69March 5SeattleW 127–111Walter Davis (30)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
45–24W 3
70March 7UtahW 110–94Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (24)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,245
46–24W 4
71March 9ChicagoW 113–103 (OT)Paul Westphal (32)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,210
47–24W 5
72March 12@ Golden StateW 122–113Paul Westphal (31)Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6,936
48–24W 6
73March 15@ San DiegoL 109–120Truck Robinson (29)San Diego Sports Arena
10,635
48–25L 1
74March 16@ Los AngelesL 106–128Truck Robinson (26)The Forum
16,587
48–26L 2
75March 18@ Kansas CityW 112–109Walter Davis (25)Kemper Arena
11,448
49–26W 1
76March 19Los AngelesW 112–108Paul Westphal (30)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
50–26W 2
77March 21@ PortlandW 111–100Truck Robinson (23)Memorial Coliseum
12,666
51–26W 3
78March 23DenverW 118–102Walter Davis (27)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,705
52–26W 4
79March 25@ SeattleL 95–104Walter Davis (21)Kingdome
34,152
52–27L 1
80March 26SeattleW 109–99Walter Davis (32)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
53–27W 1
81March 28PortlandW 114–100Walter Davis (20)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,224
54–27W 2
82March 30San DiegoW 122–104Walter Davis (23)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,807
55–27W 3
1979 schedule

Playoffs

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Game log

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1980 playoff game log
First Round: 2–1 (home: 2–0; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 2Kansas CityW 96–93Paul Westphal (23)Truck Robinson (14)Walter Davis (7)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–0
2April 4@ Kansas CityL 96–106Alvan Adams (22)Alvan Adams (12)Alvan Adams (7)Kemper Arena
9,637
1–1
3April 6Kansas CityW 114–99Walter Davis (22)Alvan Adams (20)Adams, Davis (7)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,306
2–1
Conference semifinals: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 8@ Los AngelesL 110–119Mike Bratz (25)Rich Kelley (10)Don Buse (9)The Forum
15,892
0–1
2April 9@ Los AngelesL 128–131 (OT)Paul Westphal (37)Gar Heard (9)Alvan Adams (12)The Forum
14,286
0–2
3April 11Los AngelesL 105–108Walter Davis (28)Gar Heard (11)Davis, Buse (5)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
0–3
4April 13Los AngelesW 127–101Paul Westphal (25)Gar Heard (9)Buse, Adams (6)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–3
5April 15@ Los AngelesL 101–126Walter Davis (24)Adams, Cook (6)Rich Kelley (7)The Forum
17,505
1–4
1980 schedule

Awards and honors

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All-Star

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  • Paul Westphal was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his fourth consecutive All-Star selection. Westphal finished fourth in voting among Western Conference guards with 127,409 votes.
  • Walter Davis was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his third consecutive All-Star selection. Davis finished fourth in voting among Western Conference forwards with 100,546 votes.

Season

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Player statistics

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Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game

Season

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Phoenix Suns statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Alvan Adams756328.9.531.000.7978.14.31.4.7+14.9
Mike Bratz82119.4.392.244.8702.02.71.1.18.5
Don Buse818130.9.443.241.6642.94.01.6.17.7
Jeff Cook661413.7.469.000.8063.71.3.4.35.5
Walter Davis757330.8.563.000.8193.64.51.5.321.5
Garfield Heard82517.1.417.000.7444.61.21.0.65.0
Johnny High82013.7.446.143.6742.11.5.9.25.0
Rich Kelley*23016.2.506..7835.12.21.2.7+5.8
Joel Kramer54613.2.469.000.8002.81.4.5.13.5
Truck Robinson828233.0.512..6679.41.7.7.717.3
Alvin Scott79316.5.422.333.7792.91.2.6.74.4
Paul Westphal828232.5.525.280.8622.35.11.5.421.9

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 25 three-pointers made.
+ – Minimum 50 games played.

Playoffs

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Phoenix Suns statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Alvan Adams8831.4.566..895^9.65.8.91.316.1
Mike Bratz8021.1.512.391.900^2.52.01.1.013.0
Don Buse8829.5.438.385.6362.65.5.8.08.5
Jeff Cook7014.0.667..8463.01.0.6.37.7
Walter Davis8830.6.504.000.7372.94.4.5.120.8
Garfield Heard8627.9.393..7336.41.51.11.46.9
Johnny High8015.0.387.000.5003.12.5.8.34.0
Rich Kelley8018.3.432.000.900^4.52.81.1.95.9
Truck Robinson3221.3.375..7146.71.31.0.75.7
Alvin Scott8017.5.515.000.5002.81.3.5.64.8
Paul Westphal8831.6.486.083.8751.33.91.4.420.9

† – Minimum 20 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.

Transactions

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Trades

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June 22, 1979To Washington Bullets
Rights to Steve Malovic
To Phoenix Suns
1979 first-round draft pick ( Kyle Macy)
1980 third-round draft pick ( John Campbell)
August 20, 1979To Detroit Pistons
1981 fourth-round draft pick ( Don Koonce)
To Phoenix Suns
Andre Wakefield
February 15, 1980To New Jersey Nets
1982 first-round draft pick ( Brook Steppe)
1983 second-round draft pick ( Pace Mannion)
Cash considerations
To Phoenix Suns
Rich Kelley

Free agents

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Additions

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DatePlayerContractOld Team
May 22, 1979Jeff CookUndisclosedWashington Lumberjacks (WBA)
September 13, 1979Greg GriffinUndisclosedPhoenix Suns

Subtractions

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DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
September 4, 1979Ted McClainWaived
October 1, 1979Al GreenWaived
October 1, 1979Charles JonesWaivedMaine Lumberjacks (CBA)
October 1, 1979Greg GriffinWaived
October 12, 1979Andre WakefieldWaivedUtah Jazz

References

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