Head coach Jim Cleamons Record 24–58 (.293) | Arena Reunion Arena Playoff finish DNQ | |
Place Division: 4th (Midwest)
Conference: 11th (Western) | ||
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Mavericks' 17th season in the National Basketball Association. In the offseason, the Mavericks signed free agent Chris Gatling and acquired Eric Montross from the Boston Celtics. With new head coach Jim Cleamons and re-signing former Dallas guard Derek Harper, the Mavericks struggles continued with a 4–10 start in November. With the team not showing any improvement, they traded All-Star guard Jason Kidd to the Phoenix Suns for second-year star Michael Finley, Sam Cassell and A.C. Green in late December. Gatling led the Mavericks with 19.1 points per game off the bench, and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. At midseason, he was traded along with Cassell, Montross, Jim Jackson and George McCloud to the New Jersey Nets for Shawn Bradley, Robert Pack and Khalid Reeves. Meanwhile, Jamal Mashburn was dealt to the Miami Heat for Sasha Danilovic.
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The Mavericks suffered an 11-game losing streak between March and April, which included an 87–80 loss the Los Angeles Lakers on April 6, where the Mavs scored just two points in the third quarter. It was the fewest points scored in a quarter of a game in NBA history. The Mavericks finished fourth in the Midwest Division with a 24–58 record. Following the season, Harper was traded to the Orlando Magic and Danilovic was released.