Head coach John Calipari Playoff finish DNQ | Record 26–56 (.317) | |
Arena Continental Airlines Arena Place Division: 5th (Atlantic)
Conference: 13th (Eastern) | ||
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Nets' 30th season in the National Basketball Association, and 21st season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In the offseason, the Nets acquired Robert Pack from the Washington Bullets, and signed free agents Tony Massenburg and former All-Star forward Xavier McDaniel. Under new head coach John Calipari, the Nets continued to struggle losing their first five games of the season, which included two games against the Orlando Magic in Tokyo, Japan. At midseason, their transition continued as they traded Pack along with Shawn Bradley, Khalid Reeves and Ed O'Bannon to the Dallas Mavericks for Sam Cassell, Jim Jackson, Chris Gatling, Eric Montross and George McCloud, who never played with the Nets and was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers for Joe Kleine.
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The Nets ended their season with a 26–56 record, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division. Kendall Gill led them in scoring averaging 21.8 points per game, and top draft pick Kerry Kittles was selected to the All-Rookie Second Team. Following the season, Jackson and Montross were both dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers, Massenburg signed with the Vancouver Grizzlies, and Kleine was released.