1997–98 Washington Wizards season


The 1997–98 NBA season was the Wizards' 37th season in the National Basketball Association. There was a new beginning for basketball in Washington, D.C. as the team changed its name to the "Wizards", fearing "Bullets" endorsed gun violence. The team also got a new logo, and new uniforms with blue, black and brown colors. The Wizards got off to a slow 5–11 start to the season, losing their first five home games at US Airways Arena before moving out of the longtime home that had been home to them since they moved to Washington. In December, they moved into their new arena, the MCI Center, posting a 24–12 home record for the remainder of the season. The Wizards won their final four games of the season to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 42–40 record, falling just one game short of making the playoffs. Rod Strickland led the league with 10.5 assists per game and made the All-NBA Second Team. Following the season, Chris Webber was traded to the Sacramento Kings, and Gheorghe Mureșan, who missed the entire season with a foot injury was released.

Offseason

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
245God ShammgodPGUnited StatesProvidence College
248Predrag DrobnjakC

The Wizards forfeited their 1997 first round pick in connection with the signing of Juwan Howard in 1996. Washington would have had the 17th pick.

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Player statistics

Season

Awards and records