[1] During the off-season, the Clippers signed free agent James Robinson,[2][3][4] and acquired Stojko Vrankovic from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
[12] At mid-season, the team traded Brent Barry to the Miami Heat in exchange for last year's Most Improved Player Isaac Austin, and rookie guard Charles Smith.
[13][14][15][16] The Clippers lost 15 of their final 17 games, including a 10-game losing streak between March and April,[17] finishing last place in the Pacific Division with a 17–65 record.
[18] Lamond Murray showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward, averaging 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, and finishing tied in eighth place in Most Improved Player voting,[19][20] while Rodney Rogers averaged 15.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and top draft pick Maurice Taylor averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game off the bench, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
[21] Following the season, Austin signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic,[22][23][24] while Vaught signed with the Detroit Pistons after eight seasons with the Clippers,[25][26][27][28] and head coach Bill Fitch was fired.