1989–90 Charlotte Hornets season

The 1989–90 NBA season was the Charlotte Hornets' second season in the National Basketball Association. In the 1989 NBA draft, the Hornets selected J.R. Reid from the University of North Carolina with the fifth overall pick. The Hornets moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference, also switching from the Atlantic Division to the Midwest Division for the season. In December, the team traded Kurt Rambis to the Phoenix Suns for Armen Gilliam. Gilliam would lead the Hornets in scoring averaging 18.8 points per game. Head Coach Dick Harter was replaced by Gene Littles at midseason, following a disappointing 8–32 start. The team finished the season with a record of 19 wins and 63 losses, one game worse than the previous year. Reid was named to the All-Rookie Second Team. Despite the lack of success on the court, the Hornets sold out every home game, finishing second in the NBA in attendance during the season.