[1] In the off-season, the Bucks signed free agent and former All-Star forward Moses Malone.
[2][3][4] After an 8–9 start to the season, head coach Del Harris resigned and was replaced with interim Frank Hamblen.
[5] Under Hamblen, the Bucks hovered around .500 for the first half of the season, holding a 22–24 record at the All-Star break.
The Bucks went on an 11-game losing streak as they lost 14 of their final 15 games, finishing last place in the Central Division with a 31–51 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1979.
[8] Following the season, Ellis was traded to the San Antonio Spurs,[9][10][11] while Humphries and Krystkowiak were both dealt to the Utah Jazz,[12][13][14] Jeff Grayer signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors,[15][16] and Hamblen was fired as head coach.