SuperSonics icon Donald "Slick" Watts dies at age 73

Field Level Media
16 Mar 2025, 10:12 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images)

Seattle SuperSonics legend Donald 'Slick' Watts died Saturday at age 73, according to his son, Donald Jr.

The elder Watts had a stroke in 2021 and had struggled with his health in recent years.

'You did so much for so many of us. It was an honor to call you pops,' said Watts Jr., a former college player for Washington from 1995-99.

The man nicknamed 'Slick' played four-plus seasons for the SuperSonics and was a member of the franchise's 40-year anniversary team.

He was a big fan favorite due to his style of play, constant smile, bald head and his crooked headbands.Watts was an undrafted free agent in 1973 who surprisingly made the team and ended up finishing third in Rookie of the Year balloting.

In his third season, Watts lead the NBA in assists (8.1 per game) and steals (3.2) while starting all 82 games. He averaged 13.0 points per game.

Watts again averaged 13 points in the 1976-77 season while also contributing 8.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

Watts was traded to the New Orleans Jazz during the 1977-78 season and finished his career with the Houston Rockets in 1978-79.

He returned to Seattle and was a fixture of the community and remained involved with basketball in the area, including the Seattle Storm of the WNBA.

'We are saddened by the passing of Sonics icon Slick Watts,' the Storm said. 'Slick was a champion for the Storm and a beloved member of the Seattle community.'

The SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City following the 2007-08 season.

--Field Level Media

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