1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season

1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season
Head coachBernie Bickerstaff
General managerBob Whitsitt
OwnerBarry Ackerley
ArenaSeattle Center Coliseum
Results
Record47–35 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishConference Semi-finals
(lost to Lakers 0–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television
RadioKJR
(Kevin Calabro)

The 1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 22nd season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association.[1] The SuperSonics had the 15th overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected point guard Gary Grant from the University of Michigan, but soon traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Michael Cage.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team signed free agent John Lucas.[5][6]

With the addition of Cage, the SuperSonics won their first three games of the regular season, but then lost five of their next six games afterwards. The team soon recovered and played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, posting a six-game winning streak in January, and later on holding a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.[7] However, the SuperSonics posted a seven-game losing streak between March and April, but then posted an eight-game winning streak afterwards, finishing in third place in the Pacific Division with a 47–35 record, and earning the fourth seed in the Western Conference.[8]

Dale Ellis averaged 27.5 points and 1.3 steals per game, led the SuperSonics with 162 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Xavier McDaniel played a sixth man role off the bench,[9][10][11] averaging 20.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Derrick McKey became the team's starting small forward, averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. In addition, Cage provided the team with 10.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Sedale Threatt contributed 8.6 points and 3.8 assists per game, Alton Lister provided with 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, Nate McMillan averaged 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and Jerry Reynolds contributed 7.6 points per game.[12]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, Ellis was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was his first and only All-Star appearance. Ellis scored 27 points as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 143–134.[13][14][15] In addition, Ellis also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the fourth consecutive year, and won the competition.[16][14][17] McDaniel finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting,[18][19] while McKey finished tied in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting.[20][19]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, the SuperSonics faced off against the 5th–seeded Houston Rockets, who were led by the trio of All-Star center Akeem Olajuwon, Otis Thorpe and Sleepy Floyd. The SuperSonics won the first two games over the Rockets at home at the Seattle Center Coliseum, but then lost Game 3 on the road, 126–107 at The Summit. The SuperSonics won Game 4 over the Rockets on the road, 98–96 to win the series in four games.[21][22][23]

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the top–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, who won the Pacific Division title; the team was led by the quartet of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Magic Johnson, All-Star forward James Worthy, Byron Scott, and All-Star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The SuperSonics lost the first two games to the Lakers on the road at the Great Western Forum, before losing the next two games at home, including a Game 4 loss to the Lakers at the Seattle Center Coliseum, 97–95, thus losing the series in a four-game sweep.[24][25][26] The Lakers would advance to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year, but would lose to the Detroit Pistons in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals.[27][28][29]

The SuperSonics finished 19th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 456,765 at the Seattle Center Coliseum during the regular season.[12][30] Following the season, Lister was traded to the Golden State Warriors,[31][32][33] while Lucas signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets,[34] and Reynolds was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Orlando Magic expansion team.[35][36][37]

Draft picks

Main article: 1988 NBA draft

At the 1988 Draft, the SuperSonics got the fifteenth overall pick behind the Phoenix Suns. With their first-round pick, the SuperSonics selected Gary Grant, but he would be traded on draft night along with a first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for Michael Cage. In the third round, they selected guard Corey Gaines.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 15 Gary Grant (traded to L.A. Clippers) PG  United States Michigan
3 65 Corey Gaines G  United States Loyola Marymount

Roster

1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F 42 Greg Ballard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1955–01–29 Oregon
F 44 Michael Cage 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 224 lb (102 kg) 1962–01–28 San Diego State
F 41 Mike Champion 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–04–05 Gonzaga
F 3 Dale Ellis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1960–08–06 Tennessee
G 15 Avery Johnson 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1965–03–25 Southern
C 53 Alton Lister 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1958–10–01 Arizona State
G 20 John Lucas 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1953–10–31 Maryland
F 34 Xavier McDaniel 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1963–06–04 Wichita State
F 31 Derrick McKey 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1966–10–10 Alabama
G 10 Nate McMillan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1964–08–03 NC State
C 23 Olden Polynice 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–11–21 Virginia
G 35 Jerry Reynolds 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1962–12–23 LSU
F 40 Russ Schoene 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1960–04–16 Chattanooga
G 4 Sedale Threatt 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 57 25 .695 – 35–6 22–19 25–9
x-Phoenix Suns 55 27 .671 2 35–6 20–21 23–11
x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10 31–10 16–25 20–14
x-Golden State Warriors 43 39 .524 14 29–12 14–27 15–19
x-Portland Trail Blazers 39 43 .476 18 28–13 11–30 17–17
Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 30 21–20 6–35 12–22
Los Angeles Clippers 21 61 .256 36 17–24 4–37 7–27
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers 57 25 .695 –
2 y-Utah Jazz 51 31 .622 6
3 x-Phoenix Suns 55 27 .671 2
4 x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10
5 x-Houston Rockets 45 37 .549 12
6 x-Denver Nuggets 44 38 .537 13
7 x-Golden State Warriors 43 39 .524 14
8 x-Portland Trail Blazers 39 43 .476 18
9 Dallas Mavericks 38 44 .463 19
10 Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 30
11 San Antonio Spurs 21 61 .256 36
12 Los Angeles Clippers 21 61 .256 36
13 Miami Heat 15 67 .183 42
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

1988–89 game log
Total: 47–35 (Home: 31–10; Road: 16–25)
November: 6–7 (home: 3–3; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 4 at Utah Jazz 104–97 Dale Ellis (46) Salt Palace
12,444 		1–0
2 November 5 Denver Nuggets 142–141 (OT) Xavier McDaniel (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,269 		2–0
3 November 8 at Sacramento Kings 97–75 Dale Ellis (28) ARCO Arena (II)
16,517 		3–0
4 November 9 Golden State Warriors 108–113 John Lucas (25) Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced 		3–1
5 November 11 at L.A. Lakers L 103–114 Xavier McDaniel (20) Great Western Forum
17,505 		3–2
6 November 12 at Denver Nuggets 129–141 Dale Ellis (29) McNichols Sports Arena
12,401 		3–3
7 November 17 L.A. Lakers W 101–98 Dale Ellis (27) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,576 		4–3
8 November 19 Dallas Mavericks 106–112 Xavier McDaniel (31) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,608 		4–4
9 November 22 Portland Trail Blazers 104–125 Dale Ellis (22) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,956 		4–5
10 November 23 at Golden State Warriors 93–85 Dale Ellis (36) Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,770 		5–5
11 November 25 at Phoenix Suns 105–110 Dale Ellis (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,710 		5–6
12 November 29 Utah Jazz 109–102 Dale Ellis (31) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,336 		6–6
13 November 30 at L.A. Lakers L 106–110 Dale Ellis (36) Great Western Forum
17,505 		6–7
December: 8–5 (home: 6–0; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
14 December 2 Los Angeles Clippers 154–104 Dale Ellis
Xavier McDaniel
(27) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced 		7–7
15 December 3 Golden State Warriors 136–106 Dale Ellis (36) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,571 		8–7
16 December 6 at San Antonio Spurs 112–107 Dale Ellis (28) HemisFair Arena
Not announced 		9–7
17 December 7 at Dallas Mavericks 98–102 Dale Ellis (26) Reunion Arena
17,007 		9–8
18 December 10 at Houston Rockets 91–110 Dale Ellis (26) The Summit
16,611 		9–9
19 December 13 Phoenix Suns 126–116 Dale Ellis (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,500 		10–9
20 December 15 San Antonio Spurs 122–107 Dale Ellis (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced 		11–9
21 December 17 Sacramento Kings 141–111 Dale Ellis (27) Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced 		12–9
22 December 20 at Atlanta Hawks 118–121 Dale Ellis (30) The Omni
14,808 		12–10
23 December 21 at Miami Heat 109–101 Xavier McDaniel (23) Miami Arena
15,008 		13–10
24 December 23 at Cleveland Cavaliers 107–119 (OT) Dale Ellis (32) Richfield Coliseum
15,857 		13–11
25 December 27 at Los Angeles Clippers 100–104 Dale Ellis (24) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
11,505 		13–12
26 December 29 Miami Heat 129–99 Dale Ellis
Xavier McDaniel
(25) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
14,794 		14–12
January: 12–3 (home: 10–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
27 January 3 L.A. Lakers W 116–106 Dale Ellis (42) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,645 		15–12
28 January 5 Sacramento Kings 120–106 Dale Ellis (49) Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced 		16–12
29 January 7 Portland Trail Blazers 129–123 Xavier McDaniel (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,726 		17–12
30 January 9 Cleveland Cavaliers 105–103 Derrick McKey (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,119 		18–12
31 January 10 at Portland Trail Blazers 109–125 Michael Cage (24) Memorial Coliseum
12,848 		18–13
32 January 12 Dallas Mavericks 130–95 Dale Ellis (36) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,290 		19–13
33 January 14 at Sacramento Kings 102–93 Dale Ellis (31) ARCO Arena (II)
16,517 		20–13
34 January 16 at Golden State Warriors 117–146 Dale Ellis (26) Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena
12,340 		20–14
35 January 17 Los Angeles Clippers 130–107 Dale Ellis (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,402 		21–14
36 January 19 Houston Rockets 124–108 Xavier McDaniel (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,146 		22–14
37 January 21 New York Knicks 121–119 Xavier McDaniel (36) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,810 		23–14
38 January 24 at Portland Trail Blazers 103–100 Derrick McKey (34) Memorial Coliseum
12,848 		24–14
39 January 27 Atlanta Hawks 119–112 Derrick McKey (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
23,362 		25–14
40 January 29 Milwaukee Bucks 112–106 Derrick McKey (23) Seattle Center Coliseum
20,009 		26–14
41 January 31 New Jersey Nets 112–118 Dale Ellis (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced 		26–15
February: 7–6 (home: 3–2; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
42 February 2 at Miami Heat 100–93 Dale Ellis (30) Miami Arena
14,798 		27–15
43 February 3 at Charlotte Hornets 106–108 Dale Ellis (27) Charlotte Coliseum
23,388 		27–16
44 February 5 at Boston Celtics 89–87 Dale Ellis (30) Boston Garden
14,890 		28–16
45 February 7 at New Jersey Nets 99–109 Dale Ellis (34) Brendan Byrne Arena
Not announced 		28–17
46 February 8 at Philadelphia 76ers 102–109 Dale Ellis (30) The Spectrum
11,224 		28–18
All-Star Game
47 February 14 San Antonio Spurs 129–113 Xavier McDaniel (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,506 		29–18
48 February 15 at Phoenix Suns 112–135 Dale Ellis (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,800 		29–19
49 February 17 Washington Bullets 126–112 Derrick McKey (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,570 		30–19
50 February 18 at Portland Trail Blazers 116–115 Xavier McDaniel (37) Memorial Coliseum
12,848 		31–19
51 February 21 Boston Celtics 96–91 Dale Ellis (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,546 		32–19
52 February 25 Sacramento Kings 94–97 Xavier McDaniel (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,780 		32–20
53 February 27 at Sacramento Kings 116–107 Dale Ellis
Derrick McKey
(27) 		ARCO Arena (II)
16,517 		33–20
54 February 28 Indiana Pacers 106–108 Dale Ellis (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced 		33–21
March: 6–11 (home: 5–2; road: 1–9)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
55 March 3 Houston Rockets 118–108 Dale Ellis (39) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,415 		34–21
56 March 4 Philadelphia 76ers 118–104 Xavier McDaniel (25) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,688 		35–21
57 March 7 at Indiana Pacers 110–92 Dale Ellis (27) Market Square Arena
Not announced 		36–21
58 March 8 at Detroit L 96–112 Derrick McKey (21) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		36–22
59 March 10 at Milwaukee Bucks 90–102 Russ Schoene (18) Bradley Center
18,633 		36–23
60 March 11 at Chicago Bulls 88–105 Dale Ellis (26) Chicago Stadium
18,291 		36–24
61 March 13 at Washington Bullets 101–106 Dale Ellis (28) Capital Centre
Not announced 		36–25
62 March 14 at New York Knicks 110–116 Xavier McDaniel (34) Madison Square Garden (IV)
18,759 		36–26
63 March 16 Charlotte Hornets 108–88 Dale Ellis (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
Not announced 		37–26
64 March 18 at Phoenix Suns 104–122 Dale Ellis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 		37–27
65 March 21 Utah Jazz 101–96 Dale Ellis (31) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,500 		38–27
66 March 23 Los Angeles Clippers 115–112 Dale Ellis (39) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,349 		39–27
67 March 25 Chicago Bulls 110–111 Dale Ellis (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,810 		39–28
68 March 27 at Utah Jazz 105–124 Dale Ellis
Xavier McDaniel
(16) 		Salt Palace
12,444 		39–29
69 March 28 at Houston Rockets 117–120 Dale Ellis (36) The Summit
16,611 		39–30
70 March 30 at Denver Nuggets 116–123 Dale Ellis (26) McNichols Sports Arena
14,851 		39–31
71 March 31 Detroit L 108–111 Dale Ellis (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,810 		39–32
April: 8–3 (home: 4–2; road: 4–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 4 L.A. Lakers L 97–115 Dale Ellis
Derrick McKey
(23) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
14,810 		39–33
73 April 6 Phoenix Suns 119–126 Xavier McDaniel (37) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,457 		39–34
74 April 8 at Dallas Mavericks 114–90 Dale Ellis (34) Reunion Arena
17,007 		40–34
75 April 10 at San Antonio Spurs 102–89 Dale Ellis (28) HemisFair Arena
12,448 		41–34
76 April 13 Miami Heat 116–111 Xavier McDaniel (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,267 		42–34
77 April 15 Denver Nuggets 125–92 Dale Ellis (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250 		43–34
78 April 17 at Golden State Warriors 116–109 (OT) Derrick McKey (28) Oakland—Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 		44–34
79 April 18 Golden State Warriors 122–118 Xavier McDaniel
Dale Ellis
(35) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
13,568 		45–34
80 April 20 Portland Trail Blazers 124–118 Dale Ellis
Xavier McDaniel
(31) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
14,320 		46–34
81 April 21 at Los Angeles Clippers 139–136 (OT) Xavier McDaniel (30) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
11,280 		47–34
82 April 23 at L.A. Lakers L 117–121 Xavier McDaniel (39) Great Western Forum
17,505 		47–35
1988–89 schedule

Playoffs

1989 playoff game log
First round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 28 Houston W 111–107 Dale Ellis (25) Xavier McDaniel (11) Nate McMillan (11) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,250 		1–0
2 April 30 Houston W 109–97 Lister, McDaniel (20) Olden Polynice (10) Nate McMillan (8) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,887 		2–0
3 May 3 @ Houston L 107–126 Dale Ellis (26) Michael Cage (10) Nate McMillan (10) The Summit
16,611 		2–1
4 May 5 @ Houston W 98–96 Dale Ellis (26) Xavier McDaniel (10) Nate McMillan (10) The Summit
16,611 		3–1
Conference Semi-finals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 7 @ L.A. Lakers L 102–113 Derrick McKey (23) Olden Polynice (10) Nate McMillan (12) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 May 10 @ L.A. Lakers L 108–130 Xavier McDaniel (17) Xavier McDaniel (8) Sedale Threatt (9) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–2
3 May 12 L.A. Lakers L 86–91 Dale Ellis (30) Xavier McDaniel (12) Sedale Threatt (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,541 		0–3
4 May 14 L.A. Lakers L 95–97 Xavier McDaniel (30) Xavier McDaniel (11) Nate McMillan (8) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,006 		0–4
1989 schedule

Player statistics

Note: PG= per game; M= Minutes; R= Rebounds; A= Assists; S = Steals; B = Blocks; P = Points; T = Turnovers; PF = Personal fouls

Season

Player Age Games played MPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG PFPG PPG
Greg Ballard 34 2 7.5 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 3.0
Michael Cage 27 80 31.7 9.6 1.6 1.2 0.7 1.6 2.3 10.3
Mike Champion 24 2 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 0.0
Dale Ellis 28 82 38.9 4.2 2.0 1.3 0.3 2.7 2.4 27.5
Avery Johnson 23 43 6.8 0.6 1.7 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.8 1.6
Alton Lister 30 82 22.0 6.6 0.7 0.3 2.2 1.4 3.8 8.0
John Lucas 35 74 11.4 1.1 3.5 0.8 0.0 0.9 0.7 4.2
Xavier McDaniel 25 82 29.1 5.3 1.6 1.0 0.5 2.6 2.8 20.5
Derrick McKey 22 82 34.2 5.7 2.7 1.3 0.9 2.3 3.2 15.9
Nate McMillan 24 75 31.2 5.2 9.3 2.1 0.6 2.8 3.1 7.1
Olden Polynice 24 80 10.4 2.6 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.6 2.1 2.9
Jerry Reynolds 26 56 13.2 1.8 1.1 0.9 0.5 1.0 1.0 7.6
Russ Schoene 28 69 11.2 2.4 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.7 2.0 5.2
Sedale Threatt 27 63 19.4 1.9 3.8 1.3 0.1 1.2 2.5 8.6

Playoffs

Player Age Games played MPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG PFPG PPG
Michael Cage 27 8 21.9 5.8 0.6 0.9 0.4 1.0 1.8 7.1
Dale Ellis 28 8 38.0 4.0 1.3 1.4 0.1 2.6 2.4 22.9
Avery Johnson 23 6 5.2 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.8
Alton Lister 30 8 20.0 4.8 0.3 0.3 2.6 1.1 3.5 7.0
John Lucas 35 4 9.3 0.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.3 2.8
Xavier McDaniel 25 8 35.1 8.4 2.8 0.3 0.6 2.8 3.8 18.8
Derrick McKey 22 8 35.8 6.5 2.3 0.8 1.9 2.9 4.1 13.3
Nate McMillan 24 8 25.0 3.1 7.9 1.3 0.6 2.4 2.6 6.8
Olden Polynice 24 8 20.3 7.8 0.1 0.8 0.5 0.6 4.0 7.1
Jerry Reynolds 26 4 10.0 1.3 0.3 0.5 1.5 1.0 1.5 5.5
Russ Schoene 28 3 14.3 1.7 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.0 2.3 4.3
Sedale Threatt 27 8 25.1 1.6 6.1 2.1 0.0 1.4 2.8 12.0

Awards and records

1989 NBA All-Star Game selections (game played on February 12, 1989)

Non All-Star Awards and records

Transactions

Free agents

Additions

Date Player Signed Former team
August 2, 1988 Avery Johnson Free agent Palm Beach Stingrays
September 19, 1988 John Lucas Free agent Milwaukee Bucks
October 4, 1988 Mike Champion Free agent N/A (Undrafted)
February 13, 1989 Greg Ballard 10-day contract Golden State Warriors
February 26, 1989 Mike Champion 10-day contract N/A

Subtractions

Date Player Reason left New team
October 25, 1988 Mike Champion Waived N/A
October 31, 1988 Danny Young Waived Portland Trail Blazers
October 31, 1988 Corey Gaines Waived New Jersey Nets

Trades

October 4, 1988 To Seattle SuperSonics---- To Milwaukee Bucks----

Player Transactions Citation:[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ "1988-89 Seattle SuperSonics". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  3. ^ Baker, Chris (June 29, 1988). "1988 NBA DRAFT: Clippers Choose Manning, Then Play for Position: They Trade Cage, End Up with Smith and Grant". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  5. ^ "Basketball". The Washington Post. September 20, 1988. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  6. ^ "Don't Call Lucas "Grandpa"". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 7, 1988. p. C2. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  7. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  8. ^ "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  9. ^ Anstine, Dennis (April 22, 1989). "NBA: SuperSonics' Xavier McDaniel; NEWLN: In Sonics' Lineup; "X" Marks the Spot". United Press International. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  10. ^ McManis, Sam (May 12, 1989). "X MARKS THE SPOT: And It's Up to Foes to Take It Away from Sonics' McDaniel". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  11. ^ Newman, Bruce (February 11, 1991). "Xavier McDaniel Has Already Left His Mark on the Phoenix Suns, Who Hope His Arrival Will Help Bring an NBA Title". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  13. ^ McManis, Sam (February 12, 1989). "Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  15. ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  16. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 12, 1989). "For Knicks' Walker, Slam Dunk Victory Occurs After a Loss". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  18. ^ "Suns' Johnson Wins NBA's 6th Man Award". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 8, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  20. ^ "Johnson Named Most Improved Player". Lewiston Tribune. Associated Press. May 16, 1989. p. 3B. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  21. ^ Hafner, Dan (May 6, 1989). "McKey's Last-Second Shot Pits Sonics Against Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  22. ^ "McKey Buzzes Rockets". The Washington Post. May 6, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  23. ^ "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  24. ^ McManis, Sam (May 15, 1989). "NBA Playoffs: Deep Down, Lakers Knew They Could: L.A., Losing by 29, Runs to 97-95 Win". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  25. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 15, 1989). "Jordan Digs a Deeper Hole for Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  26. ^ "1989 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: SuperSonics vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  27. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  28. ^ McManis, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  29. ^ "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  30. ^ "1988–89 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  31. ^ "Warriors Reportedly Get Lister from Sonics". Los Angeles Times. July 31, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  32. ^ "Sonics Trade Lister to Warriors". United Press International. August 7, 1989. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  33. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Sonics Trade Lister". The New York Times. August 8, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  34. ^ "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. July 12, 1989. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  35. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 16, 1989). "Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  36. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 16, 1989). "NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  37. ^ "1989 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  38. ^ "1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.