[1] The Nuggets had the fifteenth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected Brent Barry out of Oregon State University, but soon traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for top draft pick Antonio McDyess from the University of Alabama,[2][3][4][5][6] and acquired Don MacLean and Doug Overton from the Washington Bullets during the off-season.
[11] In March, the Nuggets found themselves in the middle of an ugly controversy, as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the Star-Spangled Banner, protesting what he felt was the country's poor treatment to Muslims in the world; he was then suspended by the league.
[17] However, the damage was done, and his reputation could not be repaired, as he was the consistent target of boos from fans,[18][19][20][21] before missing the remainder of the season with ankle and foot injuries after playing 57 games.
[22][23][24] The Nuggets finished in fourth place in the Midwest Division with a 35–47 record, missing the playoffs.
[31][32][33] Following the season, Abdul-Rauf was traded to the Sacramento Kings,[34][35][36][37] while Mutombo signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks after five seasons in Denver,[38][39][40][41][42] Rose and Reggie Williams were both dealt to the Indiana Pacers,[43][35][36][37] and MacLean and Overton both signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.