The 1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 6th season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. Roster Depth chart Regular season Season standings Record vs. opponents Game log |- bgcolor=#fcc | 1 | October 10 | @ New York | L 89–113 | John Brisker (16) | | | Madison Square Garden 19,447 | 0–1 |- bgcolor=#cfc | 2 | October 11 | @ Philadelphia | W 105–100 | Spencer Haywood (22) | | | The Spectrum 6,257 | 1–1 |- bgcolor=#cfc | 3 | October 13 | @ Portland | W 92–84 | Spencer Haywood (35) | | | Memorial Coliseum 8,573 | 2–1 |- bgcolor=#fcc | 4 | October 20 | Golden State | L 92–101 | Spencer Haywood (22) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 10,950 | 2–2 |- bgcolor=#fcc | 5 | October 21 | @ Phoenix | L 117–129 | John Brisker (34) | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 8,315 | 2–3 |- bgcolor=#cfc | 6 | October 22 | Portland | W 120–119 (OT) | John Brisker (30) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 6,925 | 3–3 |- bgcolor=#fcc | 7 | October 25 | Atlanta | L 115–118 | Spencer Haywood (33) | | | Seattle Center Coliseum 7,140 | 3–4