The 1996–97 NBA season was the Grizzlies' second season in the National Basketball Association. Coming off of an NBA worst record of 15–67 in their first season, the Grizzlies acquired Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers while signing free agent Lee Mayberry during the offseason. However, they continued to struggle in their second season as head coach Brian Winters was fired after an 8–35 start, and was replaced with Stu Jackson. The Grizzlies finished last place in the Midwest Division with a league worst record of 14–68, their worst record in franchise history. Top draft pick Shareef Abdur-Rahim led the Grizzlies with 18.7 points per game and made the All-Rookie First Team. Following the season, Greg Anthony signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Grizzlies first draft pick was Shareef Abdur-Rahim, which was the third overall pick in the draft.

The Grizzlies would open the season with a seven-game losing streak before earning their first win, as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 92–89 in their eighth game. Wins would be few and far between for Vancouver, as they finished the season with a 14–68 record, which was one game worse than their expansion season. The Grizzlies also once again finished in last place in the league.

Vancouver would make a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, as the Grizzlies would acquire Anthony Peeler and George Lynch along with the Lakers second round draft choices in 1997 and 1998 for Vancouver's second round draft choices in 1997 and 1998. Peeler would start 57 games for the Grizzlies in the 1996–97 season and finish third in team scoring averaging 14.5 points per game.

...
Wikipedia