The 1996–97 NBA season was the Magic's eighth season in the National Basketball Association. After losing Shaquille O'Neal via free agency to the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason, the Magic acquired Felton Spencer from the Utah Jazz, and signed free agents Gerald Wilkins, Derek Strong and Danny Schayes. However, after playing just one game for the team, Spencer was then dealt to the Golden State Warriors for Rony Seikaly. Early into the season, the Magic played two games against the New Jersey Nets in Tokyo, Japan. After an 8–4 start in November, the Magic struggled losing 10 of their 12 games in December. Head coach Brian Hill was fired 49 games into the season after a 24–25 start, and Anfernee Hardaway was generally blamed for leading a player revolt that resulted in his dismissal. Hill was replaced with assistant Richie Adubato for the remainder of the season as the Magic finished third in the Atlantic Division with a 45–37 record. Hardaway averaged 20.5 points, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, despite playing just 59 games due to a knee injury. Seikaly provided the team with 17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.