[1] In the off-season, the Nuggets acquired Mark Jackson and Ricky Pierce from the Indiana Pacers,[2][3][4][5] acquired Šarūnas Marčiulionis from the Sacramento Kings,[6][3][4] and signed free agents Ervin Johnson and Eric Murdock,[7][8][9] although Murdock was released to free agency in November after just 12 games.
[10] However, after a 4–9 start to the season, Bernie Bickerstaff resigned as head coach and was replaced with Dick Motta,[11][12] where the Nuggets then lost ten straight games, and held a 16–32 record at the All-Star break.
[13] At mid-season, Jackson was traded back to his former team, the Indiana Pacers, while Pierce was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for second-year guard Anthony Goldwire.
[14][15][16][17] The team also signed free agent and three-point specialist Kenny Smith, who won two championships with the Houston Rockets.
[18][19][20] As the season drew, the Nuggets still struggled losing 26 of their final 30 games, finishing fifth in the Midwest Division with a 21–61 record.