Playoff finish Did Not Qualify | Record 41–41 (.500) | |
The 1995-96 NBA season was the 8th season of the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Hornets re-acquired Kendall Gill from the Seattle SuperSonics. On the first day of the regular season, the Hornets acquired Glen Rice, Matt Geiger and Khalid Reeves from the Miami Heat. Rice would prove to be a solid pick with his long range ability from beyond the arch. He was also selected to play in the 1996 NBA All-Star Game. The Hornets got off to a slow start losing eight of their first eleven games, but played around .500 the rest of the way. In January, they dealt Gill and Reeves to the New Jersey Nets for Kenny Anderson, who became the team's starting point guard, while Muggsy Bogues sat out with knee injuries that only limited him to just six games. The Hornets' starting shooting guard Scott Burrell was also injured only playing in just 20 games.
However, with Larry Johnson still suffering the lingering effects of an injured back, the Hornets missed the Playoffs by just one game, finishing sixth in the Central Division with a 41–41 record. The Hornets led the NBA in attendance for the seventh time in their eight-year history. Following the season, Johnson was traded to the New York Knicks, Anderson signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers, Robert Parish signed with the Chicago Bulls, and head coach Allan Bristow resigned after five seasons with the franchise.
Transactions
Lost Kenny Gattison to the Vancouver Grizzlies in the NBA expansion draft.
Traded Hersey Hawkins and David Wingate to the Seattle SuperSonics for Kendall Gill.
Signed Rafael Addison as an unrestricted free agent.
Signed Pete Myers as an unrestricted free agent.
Signed Corey Beck as a free agent.
Signed Negele Knight as an unrestricted free agent.
Waived Negele Knight.
Waived Corey Beck.
Traded LeRon Ellis, Alonzo Mourning and Pete Myers to the Miami Heat for Matt Geiger, Khalid Reeves, Glen Rice and a 1996 1st round draft pick (Tony Delk was later selected).
Waived Joe Wolf.
Signed Corey Beck to a contract for the rest of the season.
Waived Greg Sutton.
Waived Corey Beck.
Traded Kendall Gill and Khalid Reeves to the New Jersey Nets for Kenny Anderson and Gerald Glass.
Signed Anthony Goldwire to a 10-day contract.
Signed Anthony Goldwire to a contract for the rest of the season.
Signed Pete Myers as a free agent.
Waived Gerald Glass.
Signed Donald Hodge to a 10-day contract.
Released Donald Hodge.