1988–89 New Jersey Nets season
| 1988–89 New Jersey Nets season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Willis Reed |
| General manager | Harry Weltman |
| Arena | Brendan Byrne Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 26–56 (.317) |
| Place | Division: 5th (Atlantic) Conference: 11th (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Local media | |
| Television | WWOR-TV SportsChannel New York |
| Radio | WNEW |
The 1988–89 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 13th season in the National Basketball Association, and eighth season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets received the fourth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected small forward Chris Morris from the University of Auburn. During the off-season, the Nets acquired Walter Berry from the San Antonio Spurs, and acquired Mike McGee from the Sacramento Kings. Before the start of the regular season, the team acquired Joe Barry Carroll and Lester Conner from the Houston Rockets. However, Berry was later on released to free agency after 29 games with the Nets, and signed with the Rockets midway through the season.
The Nets got off to a 7–7 start to the regular season, but then lost six straight games afterwards, and held an 18–29 record at the All-Star break. The team struggled for the remainder of the season, posting an 8–27 record, plus a 10-game losing streak in March, and finishing in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with a 26–56 record.
Roy Hinson averaged 16.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Morris averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Buck Williams provided the team with 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. In addition, Carroll averaged 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while McGee contributed 13.0 points per game and led the Nets with 93 three-point field goals, and second-year guard Dennis Hopson provided with 12.7 points per game. Meanwhile, Conner replaced John Bagley as the Nets' starting point guard during the regular season, as he averaged 10.3 points, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game, and Bagley contributed 7.4 points and 5.8 assists per game.
Morris finished in third place in Rookie of the Year voting, and Williams finished tied in seventh place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Following the season, Williams was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, while McGee was released to free agency, and Bagley was traded to the Boston Celtics.