PHOENIX SUNS

Looking back at Jason Kidd’s career in Phoenix

Jun 3, 2013, 7:37 PM | Updated: 7:47 pm

The Phoenix Suns got a late Christmas present in 1996.

The day after the holiday, the Suns swung a seven-player deal with the Dallas Mavericks to land 23-year-old point guard Jason Kidd.

Kidd would spend 4 1/2 years in Phoenix, and although his time in the Valley would end inauspiciously, he made quite an impression in his time in purple and orange.

Now 40, Kidd announced his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons that saw him win a share of the 1994-95 Rookie of the Year Award, play in 10 All-Star Games and win an NBA championship with the Mavericks in 2011.

Here’s a look back at Kidd’s career in Phoenix, by the numbers.

20

The number of minutes Kidd played in his Suns’ debut Dec. 28, 1996. The point guard’s night was cut short after just 20 minutes by a broken collarbone that would keep him out of the lineup until Valentine’s Day. In that game, a 103-98 win over the Vancouver Grizzlies, Kidd had six points and nine assists.

3,011

Kidd dished out 3,011 assists in his Phoenix career — the fifth-most in team history behind only Steve Nash, Kevin Johnson, Alvan Adams and Walter Davis.

9.7

Kidd’s 9.7 assists per game is a Suns team record, beating out Kevin Johnson (9.5) and Steve Nash (9.4).

25

The number of triple doubles Kidd had in a Phoenix uniform.

3

The number of times Kidd led the league in assists while with the Suns.

3

Kidd was selected as All-NBA First Team three times for Phoenix. He’s one of only three players in Suns history to achieve that honor three times, joining Paul Westphal and Steve Nash.

7/18/2001

The date Kidd was traded to the New Jersey Nets with Chris Dudley for guard Stephon Marbury, forward Johnny Newman and center Soumalia Samake.

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

7 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

1 day ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

Looking back at Jason Kidd’s career in Phoenix