The 1997-98 NBA season was the Wizards' 37th season in the NBA. There was a new beginning for basketball in Washington D.C. as the team changed its name to the "Wizards", fearing "Bullets" endorsed gun violence. The Wizards played their first five home games at US Airways Arena in November, where they struggled posting a 0–5 record only winning a few road games. They then moved into their new arena, the MCI Center in December posting a 24–12 home record for the rest of the season. The Wizards won their final four games of the season to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 42–40 record, falling just one game short of making the playoffs. Rod Strickland led the league with 10.5 assists per game and made the All-NBA Second Team. Following the season, Chris Webber was traded to the Sacramento Kings, and Gheorghe Mureșan who missed the entire season due to injuries was released.

The Wizards forfeited their 1997 first round pick in connection with the signing of Juwan Howard in 1996. Washington would have had the 17th pick.

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