1988–89 New Jersey Nets season
The 1988–89 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 13th season in the NBA. The Nets had the fourth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected Chris Morris from the University of Auburn. During the off-season, the Nets acquired Walter Berry from the San Antonio Spurs, and acquired Mike McGee from the Sacramento Kings. Before the start of the season, the team acquired Joe Barry Carroll and Lester Conner from the Houston Rockets, while Berry was later on released to free agency midway through the season. The Nets held an 18–29 record at the All-Star break, but struggled for the remainder of the season, posting an 8–27 record, and finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 26–56 record.
| 1988–89 New Jersey Nets season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Willis Reed |
| General manager | Harry Weltman |
| Arena | Brendan Byrne Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 26–56 (.317) |
| Place | Division: 5th (Atlantic) Conference: 11th (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | WWOR-TV SportsChannel New York (Steve Albert, Bill Raftery, Jim Spanarkel) |
| Radio | WNEW (Howard David, Jim Spanarkel, Mike O'Koren) |
Roy Hinson averaged 16.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Morris averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and finished in third place in Rookie of the Year voting, and Buck Williams provided the team with 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. In addition, Carroll averaged 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while McGee contributed 13.0 points per game, second-year guard Dennis Hopson provided with 12.7 points per game, and Conner contributed 10.3 points, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
Following the season, Williams was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, and McGee was released to free agency.