Seattle SuperSonics (1968–1969) Kauffman was selected with the third overall pick of the
1968 NBA draft by the
Seattle SuperSonics behind future Hall of Fame inductees
Elvin Hayes and
Wes Unseld. Kauffman was also selected in the 1968
American Basketball Association Draft by the
Oakland Oaks, but chose to play in the NBA. As a rookie for Seattle in 1968–69, Kauffman averaged 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds, playing behind
Bob Rule.
Chicago Bulls (1969–1970) On September 5, 1969, Kauffman was traded by the Seattle SuperSonics with a 1971 third round draft pick (
Clifford Ray was later selected) to the
Chicago Bulls for
Bob Boozer and
Barry Clemens. Kauffman played a reserve role for the Bulls in 1969–70, averaging 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 12 minutes per game.
Buffalo Braves (1970–1974) On May 11, 1970, Kauffman was traded by the Chicago Bulls with
Jim Washington to the
Philadelphia 76ers for
Shaler Halimon and
Chet Walker. Kauffman was sent as the player to be named later on May 11, 1970. In 1970–1971, playing for the Buffalo Braves, Kauffman became an All-Star, averaging 20.4 points and 10.7 rebounds for the 22–60 Braves under Coach
Dolph Schayes. He was a reserve for the first six games of the season, scoring 26 points total, before being inserted into the starting lineup. The Braves struggled in 1971–1972, again finishing 22–60, but Kauffman was an All-Star for the second time, averaging 18.9 points and 10.2 rebounds. Kauffman had 44 points against
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the
Milwaukee Bucks on November 13, 1971. Under new Coach
Jack Ramsay, Kauffman was an All-Star again in 1972–1973, averaging 17.5 points and 11.1 rebounds for the 21–61 Braves. In 1973–1974, the Braves improved to 42–40, making the playoffs. Kauffman became a reserve, averaging 6.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17 minutes per game, on a roster that included Hall of Famer
Bob McAdoo,
Randy Smith, and
Gar Heard.
Atlanta Hawks (1974–1975) On May 20, 1974, Kauffman was drafted by the
New Orleans Jazz from the Buffalo Braves in the NBA expansion draft. He was immediately traded by the Jazz in a landmark trade. He was traded with
Dean Meminger, a 1974 first round draft pick (
Mike Sojourner was later selected), a 1975 first round draft pick (
David Thompson was later selected), a 1975 second round draft pick (
Bill Willoughby was later selected), a 1976 second round draft pick (
Alex English was later selected), and a 1980 third round draft pick (
Jonathan Moore was later selected) to the
Atlanta Hawks for
Pete Maravich. == NBA career statistics ==