1996–97 Denver Nuggets season
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Nuggets' 21st season in the National Basketball Association, and 30th season as a franchise. In the off-season, the Nuggets acquired Mark Jackson and Ricky Pierce from the Indiana Pacers, acquired Šarūnas Marčiulionis from the Sacramento Kings, and signed free agents Ervin Johnson and Eric Murdock, although Murdock was released to free agency in November after just 12 games. However, after a 4–9 start to the season, Bernie Bickerstaff resigned as head coach and was replaced with Dick Motta, where the Nuggets then lost ten straight games, and held a 16–32 record at the All-Star break.
| 1996–97 Denver Nuggets season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach |
|
| General manager | |
| President | Bernie Bickerstaff |
| Arena | McNichols Sports Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 21–61 (.256) |
| Place | Division: 5th (Midwest) Conference: 12th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | |
| Radio | KKFN |
At midseason, Jackson was traded back to his former team, the Indiana Pacers, while Pierce was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for second-year guard Anthony Goldwire. The team also signed free agent and three-point specialist Kenny Smith, who won two championships with the Houston Rockets. As the season drew, the Nuggets still struggled losing 26 of their final 30 games, finishing fifth in the Midwest Division with a 21–61 record.
LaPhonso Ellis had a stellar season, averaging 21.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, but only played 55 games due to knee injuries and a ruptured Achilles tendon, while second-year star Antonio McDyess averaged 18.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, and Dale Ellis provided the team with 16.6 points per game. In addition, Bryant Stith contributed 14.9 points per game, but only played 52 games due to a foot injury, while Johnson provided with 7.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, and Tom Hammonds averaged 6.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game off the bench.
Following the season, McDyess was traded to the Phoenix Suns in a three-team trade, while Dale Ellis was traded back to his former team, the Seattle SuperSonics, Johnson was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks, Hammonds signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves during the next season, Smith and Marčiulionis both retired, and Motta was fired as head coach.