The 1996–97 NBA season was the Warriors' 51st season in the National Basketball Association, and 35th in the San Francisco Bay Area. Due to extensive renovations at the Oakland Coliseum Arena, the Warriors played their home games at the San Jose Arena. In the offseason, the team signed free agent All-Star guard Mark Price, then traded Rony Seikaly to the Orlando Magic for Felton Spencer early into the season. At midseason, the team acquired Scott Burrell from the Charlotte Hornets. The Warriors struggled for the entire season and finished last place in the Pacific Division with a 30–52 record. Latrell Sprewell averaged 24.2 points per game and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. Second-year star Joe Smith continued to improve averaging 18.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

This season also marked an end of an era as Chris Mullin was traded to the Indiana Pacers the following season. Also following the season, Price was dealt to the Orlando Magic, Burrell was sent to the Chicago Bulls, and head coach Rick Adelman was fired.