The Phoenix Suns entered their fourth season as a franchise fresh off a 48-34 campaign in 1970-71. The future was bright as the team returned a core of All-NBA player Connie Hawkins, “The Original Sun” Dick Van Arsdale, and a promising young big man by the name of Neal Walk.
Overall the roster remained relatively the same as it had been the year prior. Greg Howard was traded to Cleveland prior to the beginning of the season and Phoenix’s first round draft pick, John Roche, signed to play in the ABA rather than with the Suns.