National Basketball Association

This Week in Phoenix Suns' History: Thunder Dan Traded For Hot Rod

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Phoenix Suns are one of the most historic organizations in the NBA. How they’ve become this storied franchise is something that takes years to breakdown. Here is this week in Phoenix Suns’ history.

Previous Weeks: Sept. 5 – 11; Sept. 12 – 18; Sept. 19 – 25; Sept. 26 – Oct. 2

October 3-9

October 7, 1995 – Suns trade Dan Majerle, Antonio Lang, and a 1997 1st round pick to Cleveland for John “Hot Rod” Williams. – One of the most famous trades in Phoenix Suns history, General Manager Bryan Colangelo traded longtime fan favorite swingman “Thunder” Dan Majerle for John “Hot Rod” Williams.

Hot Rod, Cleveland’s starting center, was once the highest paid player in the NBA, but at the time of the trade was suffering from back spasms due to an automobile accident that occurred the year prior.

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The selection of Dan Majerle in the 1988 NBA Draft was famously booed by Suns fans, though he grew to become a huge fan favorite over his Suns career.

However, when the Suns lost back to back Western Conference Semifinals series to the Houston Rockets, pressure began to build on the team, and subpar performances by Majerle in those two series’ turned some fans against him.

Williams had a career average of 12.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game with Cleveland, and was the franchise’s all-time leader in blocks. He was expected to add front court athleticism and depth the Suns needed to compete against some of the bigger power forwards and centers in the league.

The plan was that his role would help Charles Barkley and give the Suns a bigger lineup with Danny Manning and A.C. Green.

Unfortunately the trade did not work out as well as had hoped. The Suns finished the 1995-96 season 41-41 and were ousted in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs. Paul Westphal was fired 33 games in, and Charles Barkley too was eventually traded following the season.

Hot Rod would spend three subpar seasons in Phoenix. After averaging 6.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, he was released in 1998. Following a brief stint in Dallas the following season, Hot Rod retired.

On December 11, 2015, Hot Rod Williams passed away following complications stemming from prostate cancer.

Next week we’ll take another look back at Suns’ history. For now, enjoy the start of the preseason.

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