[1] During the off-season, the Clippers acquired Doc Rivers from the Atlanta Hawks,[2][3][4] and James Edwards from the Detroit Pistons.
However, they would struggle over the next few weeks sliding back below .500 with a 21–24 record as head coach Mike Schuler was fired.
[7] After splitting two games under interim Mack Calvin, and holding a 22–25 record at the All-Star break,[8] the team hired Larry Brown, who resigned as coach of the San Antonio Spurs a few weeks earlier.
[17] However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Clippers lost in five games to the Utah Jazz.
[18][19][20] Following the season, Smith, Rivers and second-year guard Bo Kimble were all traded to the New York Knicks,[21][22][23] while Edwards signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers,[24][25] and Polynice was dealt to the Detroit Pistons.