[1] With the second overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, the Clippers selected Danny Ferry out of Duke University.
[6][7] This would force General Manager Elgin Baylor into trading his draft rights along with Reggie Williams to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Ron Harper.
The team posted a 7-game losing streak midway through the season, and held a 21–26 record at the All-Star break.
[12][13][14] The Clippers lost their final five games of the season, finishing sixth in the Pacific Division with a 30–52 record.
[15] Despite another 50-loss season, the team's second-year stars posted stellar seasons; forward Charles D. Smith averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, while last year's top draft pick Danny Manning averaged 16.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and guard Gary Grant provided the team with 13.1 points, 10.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game.