Record 16–66 (.195) | Playoff finish Did not qualify | |
Head coach Darrell Walker and Butch Carter Owner(s) John Bitove, Allan Slaight, Isiah Thomas Arena SkyDome
Maple Leaf Gardens Place Division: 8th (Central)
Conference: 15th (Eastern) | ||
The 1997–98 NBA season was Toronto's third season of the team's franchise. The Raptors selected high school star Tracy McGrady with the ninth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and acquired John Wallace from the New York Knicks during the offseason. However, the Raptors struggled posting a 17-game losing streak early in the season. Midway through the season, Damon Stoudamire was traded along with Walt Williams, and Carlos Rogers to the Portland Trail Blazers for Kenny Anderson, Gary Trent and rookie Alvin Williams. However, Anderson refused to play for the Canadian team and was dealt along with Popeye Jones, and Žan Tabak to the Boston Celtics for rookie Chauncey Billups and Dee Brown.
Contents
Head coach Darrell Walker was fired and replaced with Butch Carter for the remainder of the season, as the Raptors finished last place in the Central Division with a franchise worst record of 16–66. Following the season, Marcus Camby was traded to the New York Knicks, Billups was traded to the Denver Nuggets, Trent signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks, Oliver Miller was released, and Sharone Wright retired after playing just four seasons in the NBA.
Regular season
In February 1998, Damon Stoudamire was traded by the Raptors along with Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers to the Portland Trail Blazers, for Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, Gary Trent, two first-round draft choices, a second-round draft choice and an amount of money. Anderson refused to report to the team, because he did not want to play in Canada. He was then sent along with Popeye Jones and Žan Tabak to the Boston Celtics for Chauncey Billups, Dee Brown, John Thomas and Roy Rogers.
There were no highs
Lows
A seventeen-game losing streak at the start of the season. Their season was over before it even started.
Regular season
* Statistics include only games with the Raptors