| Team: | Phoenix Suns |
| End Year: | 1972 |
| Wins: | 49 |
| Losses: | 33 |
| Division: | Midwest |
| Division Place: | 3 |
| Conf Place: | 5 |
| Coach: | Cotton Fitzsimmons |
| Gm: | Jerry Colangelo |
| Owners: | Karl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch |
| Arena: | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Bbr Team: | PHO |
| Television: | KTAR-TV |
| Radio: | KTAR |
The 1971–72 Phoenix Suns season was the fourth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. With a 49–33 record, the Suns hold the NBA record as the team with the best winning percentage to not make the playoffs. The team broke the record they set the previous year with a 48–34 finish. Head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons led the Suns in their debut season as members of the Pacific division. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Paul Silas again led the team in rebounds, averaging 11.9 per game, while also leading the Suns in assists with a 4.3 average. Connie Hawkins's 21 points a game led the club, while Dick Van Arsdale was second with his 19.7 average. Silas averaged 17.5 for the season, while both Clem Haskins and Neal Walk averaged 15.7.
See main article: 1971 NBA draft.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | John Roche | Guard | South Carolina | ||
| 3 | 48 | Dennis "Mo" Layton | Guard | USC | ||
| 4 | 65 | Walt Szczerbiak | Forward | George Washington | ||
| 5 | 82 | Ken Gardner | Forward | Utah | ||
| 5 | 84 | Bob Kissane | Center | Holy Cross | ||
| 6 | 99 | William Graham | Forward | Kentucky State | ||
| 7 | 116 | Ralph Brateris | Forward | Trenton State | ||
| 8 | 133 | Vernell Ellzy | Forward | Florida State | ||
| 9 | 149 | Mike Johnson | Guard | Kansas State | ||
| 10 | 165 | Tom Newell | Guard | Hawaii | ||
| 11 | 179 | Paul Leitz | Forward | Western Carolina | ||
| 12 | 192 | Floyd Mason | Forward | Alcorn A&M | ||
| 13 | 204 | Ron Dorsey | Guard | Tennessee State | ||
| 14 | 213 | Ken Booker | Guard | UCLA | ||
| 15 | 222 | Curtis Carter | Forward | Bishop |