the 1976–77 nba season was the spurs first season in the nba. months earlier, the spurs were part of the american basketball association (six in dallas and three in san antonio). the aba had ended its ninth and last campaign. of the seven remaining aba teams, four joined the nba: the denver nuggets, new york nets, indiana pacers and san antonio spurs. the kentucky colonels and spirits of st. louis agreed to take a cash settlement and cease operations. immediately, the aba players were dispersed across the new 22-team league. the other aba teams from the prior season were all folded prior to the aba–nba merger: the baltimore claws, utah stars, san diego sails and virginia squires.