1991–92 Washington Bullets season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Washington Bullets 1992 25 57 Atlantic 6 12 Wes Unseld Capital Centre (37 games) Baltimore Arena (4 games) WDCA Home Team Sports WTOP Did not qualify WSB The 1991–92 Washington Bullets season was the 31st season for the Washington Bullets in the National Basketball Association, and their 19th season in Washington, D.C. Washington Wizards Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/ August 10, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Bullets had the 19th overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard LaBradford Smith from the University of Louisville; Associated Press UNLV's Johnson Is No. 1: NBA Draft: Coaches' Attempts in Charlotte and New Jersey to Select Billy Owens Are Overruled. Three UNLV Players Are Taken in the First Round Los Angeles Times June 27, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-27-sp-1793-story.html July 10, 2025 Associated Press As Expected, Hornets Select Johnson No. 1 Deseret News June 27, 1991 https://www.deseret.com/1991/6/27/18928032/as-expected-hornets-select-johnson-no-1/ July 10, 2025 1991 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1991.html July 1, 2025 the Bullets originally had the eighth overall pick in the draft, but traded it to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for former Bullets guard Michael Adams. Sports People: Pro Basketball: Nuggets Trade Adams to Bullets The New York Times June 12, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/12/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-nuggets-trade-adams-to-bullets.html November 22, 2022 Aldridge David After Proving Them Wrong, Adams Returns to Right Bullets The Washington Post September 28, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/09/28/after-proving-them-wrong-adams-returns-to-right-bullets/af79ce76-d2f4-48ec-a1d0-a322cdc39815/ November 22, 2022 During the off-season, the team signed free agents David Wingate, Aldridge David Bullets Bring in Wingate for Shot in Backcourt The Washington Post October 2, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/10/02/bullets-bring-in-wingate-for-shot-in-backcourt/bdcbc1d4-b9ac-4718-a6b6-d57cd362080d/ November 22, 2022 Transactions The New York Times October 3, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/03/sports/transactions-205391.html November 22, 2022 Andre Turner, and undrafted rookie small forward Larry Stewart. Aldridge David Bullets' Hammonds, Stewart Step Forward The Washington Post November 18, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/11/18/bullets-hammonds-stewart-step-forward/34c1a2b4-527a-437d-b6cb-deb0da2f29a3/ November 22, 2022 However, Bernard King would miss the entire regular season due to a right knee injury; Aldridge David Bullets' King Has Knee Surgery The Washington Post September 7, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/09/07/bullets-king-has-knee-surgery/fad8a50c-258b-4515-ae0f-304d37c4eda3/ January 31, 2022 Aldridge David King's Knee Not Healing as Expected The Washington Post December 12, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/12/12/kings-knee-not-healing-as-expected/32b85b6b-9ca9-4013-8e3f-2820f217cc29/ November 22, 2022 to make matters worse, Hot Plate Williams was suspended for the entire season due to continuing weight problems. Aldridge David Williams Arrives...at 305 Pounds The Washington Post November 1, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/11/01/williams-arrives-at-305-pounds/86f0d484-60af-45c3-b200-205870c53db3/ November 22, 2022 Brubaker Bill Williams vs. Bullets: How It Evolved The Washington Post December 1, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/12/01/williams-vs-bullets-how-it-evolved/fb0387e5-71db-47e8-8434-2fa6ffb1ac78/ January 31, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Adams, Wingate and Stewart, and the loss of King and Williams, the Bullets got off to a 6–9 start to the regular season, but then posted an eight-game losing streak in December afterwards. The team managed to win six of their next seven games, but then posted another eight-game losing streak in January, and later on held a 16–30 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=6&year=1992 February 25, 2026 At mid-season, the team traded Tom Hammonds to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Rex Chapman; however, Chapman would only play in the final game of the season due to a strained left heel injury he sustained with the Hornets. Aldridge David Bullets Talk Chapman-Hammonds Trade The Washington Post February 19, 1992 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/02/19/bullets-talk-chapman-hammonds-trade/d4946a82-4b70-4446-845f-60feb3603f27/ January 31, 2022 Sports People: Pro Basketball: Hornets Trade Chapman to the Bullets The New York Times February 20, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/20/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-hornets-trade-chapman-to-the-bullets.html November 22, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Hornets Trade Chapman to Bullets Los Angeles Times February 20, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-20-sp-3581-story.html December 27, 2022 The Bullets posted a six-game losing streak between February and March, posted a seven-game losing streak in March, and another six-game losing streak in April. The Bullets lost 15 of their final 18 games of the season, and finished in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with a 25–57 record. 1991–92 Washington Bullets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1992_games.html December 31, 2021 Pervis Ellison showed improvement averaging 20.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, and was named the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year, Goldstein Alan Ellison Award Is a Bullet Bright Spot The Baltimore Sun May 7, 1992 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/05/07/ellison-award-is-a-bullet-bright-spot/ December 8, 2025 Associated Press  NBA Names Ellison Most Improved Player  Deseret News  May 7, 1992  https://www.deseret.com/1992/5/7/18982748/nba-names-ellison-most-improved-player/ December 8, 2025 NBA & ABA Most Improved Player Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/mip.html December 27, 2022 while Adams averaged 18.1 points, 7.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and led the Bullets with 125 three-point field goals. In addition, Harvey Grant provided the team with 18.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while Ledell Eackles contributed 13.2 points per game, and second-year guard A.J. English provided with 10.9 points per game. Meanwhile, Stewart averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, becoming the first undrafted NBA player to be named to an NBA All-Rookie Team. Wingate averaged 7.9 points and 1.5 steals per game, while Smith contributed 5.1 points per game, but only played just 48 games due to injury, Turner provided with 4.4 points and 2.5 assists per game, and defensive center Charles Jones averaged 1.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game; Jones struggled only shooting .367 in field-goal percentage. 1991–92 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1992.html February 3, 2022 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, Adams was selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his first and only All-Star appearance. Heisler Mark Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game Los Angeles Times February 9, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-09-sp-3573-story.html January 28, 2023 NBA.com Staff 1992 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1992 July 10, 2025 1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1992.html December 31, 2021 The Bullets finished 26th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 505,988 at the Capital Centre during the regular season, which was the second-lowest in the league. 1991–92 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992.html February 25, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Williams signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers, Howard-Cooper Scott Clippers Make Sizable Deal, Get John Williams: Pro Basketball: L.A. Trades Rights to Rookie Forward Don MacLean, and Backup Center William Bedford to the Bullets for Former Crenshaw High Star Troubled with Weight Problems Los Angeles Times October 9, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-09-sp-622-story.html September 25, 2022 Sheinin Dave Williams Puts Bullets Beef Behind Him The Washington Post October 13, 1992 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/10/13/williams-puts-bullets-beef-behind-him/c7f2d027-15fb-4b29-833d-cbb349016570/ November 22, 2022 while Wingate signed with the Charlotte Hornets during the following season, Transactions The New York Times November 20, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/20/sports/transactions-794592.html November 22, 2022 and English and Turner were both released to free agency. Draft picks 1991 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 19 LaBradford Smith SG Louisville Roster Washington Bullets 1991–92 10 Michael Adams basketball PG 5 10 162 1963–01–19 Boston College 31 Mark Alarie PF 6 8 217 1963–12–11 Duke yes IN 3 Rex Chapman SG 6 4 185 1967–10–05 Kentucky 21 Ledell Eackles SF 6 5 220 1966–11–24 New Orleans 43 Pervis Ellison C 6 9 210 1967–04–03 Louisville 14 A. J. English SG 6 3 175 1967–07–11 Virginia Union 42 Greg Foster basketball PF 6 11 240 1968–10–03 Texas-El Paso 44 Harvey Grant PF 6 8 195 1965–07–04 Oklahoma 32 Byron Irvin PG 6 5 190 1966–12–02 Missouri 23 Charles Jones basketball, born 1957 C 6 9 215 1957–04–03 Albany State 22 LaBradford Smith SG 6 3 200 1969–04–03 Louisville 33 Larry Stewart basketball PF 6 8 220 1968–09–21 Coppin State 35 Derek Strong PF 6 8 220 1968–02–09 Xavier 1 Andre Turner PG 5 11 160 1964–12–13 Memphis 55 David Wingate David Wingate (basketball) SG 6 5 185 1963–12–15 Georgetown Wes Unseld Bill Blair Jeff Bzdelik (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1992.html March 13, 1992 Roster Notes Power forward Mark Alarie was on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury, and missed the entire regular season. Small forward Bernard King was on the injured reserve list due to a right knee injury, and missed the entire regular season. Power forward John "Hot Plate" Williams was suspended indefinitely due to weight problems, and not maintaining playing shape. Regular season Season standings WAS y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot WAS z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Regular season Washington Bullets 1992 Total: 25–57 (home: 14–27; road: 11–30) Washington Bullets November yes 2 5 4 4 Washington Bullets December 2 4 3 5 Washington Bullets January 2 7 1 4 Washington Bullets February 2 5 2 5 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" Washington Bullets March 4 4 1 6 Washington Bullets April 2 2 0 6 WSB 1992 Player statistics Regular season Washington Bullets |- | style="text-align:left;"|Michael Adams basketball | 78 || 78 || 35.8 || .393 || .324 || .869 || 4.0 || 7.6 || 1.9 || .1 || 18.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Rex Chapman† | 1 || 0 || 22.0 || .417 || .000 || || 4.0 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .0 || 10.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ledell Eackles | 65 || 25 || 22.5 || .468 || .200 || .743 || 2.7 || 1.9 || .7 || .1 || 13.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Pervis Ellison | 66 || 64 || 38.0 || .539 || .333 || .728 || 11.2 || 2.9 || .9 || 2.7 || 20.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|A. J. English | 81 || 6 || 20.6 || .433 || .176 || .841 || 2.1 || 1.8 || .4 || .1 || 10.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Greg Foster basketball | 49 || 3 || 11.2 || .461 || .000 || .714 || 3.0 || .7 || .1 || .2 || 4.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Harvey Grant | 64 || 60 || 37.3 || .478 || .125 || .800 || 6.8 || 2.7 || 1.2 || .4 || 18.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Tom Hammonds | 37 || 19 || 26.6 || .488 || .000 || .610 || 5.0 || 1.0 || .6 || .4 || 11.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Charles Jones basketball, born 1957 | 75 || 32 || 18.2 || .367 || || .500 || 4.2 || .8 || .6 || 1.2 || 1.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Albert King basketball | 6 || 0 || 9.8 || .367 || .286 || .875 || 1.8 || .8 || .5 || .0 || 5.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Ralph Sampson | 10 || 0 || 10.8 || .310 || .000 || .667 || 3.0 || .4 || .3 || .8 || 2.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|LaBradford Smith | 48 || 5 || 14.8 || .407 || .095 || .804 || 1.7 || 2.1 || .9 || .0 || 5.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Larry Stewart basketball | 76 || 43 || 29.3 || .514 || .000 || .807 || 5.9 || 1.6 || .7 || .6 || 10.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Derek Strong | 1 || 0 || 12.0 || .000 || || .750 || 5.0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 3.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Andre Turner | 70 || 3 || 12.4 || .425 || .063 || .792 || 1.3 || 2.5 || .8 || .0 || 4.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|David Wingate basketball | 81 || 72 || 26.3 || .465 || .056 || .719 || 3.3 || 3.0 || 1.5 || .3 || 7.9 |} † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Bullets only. Player statistics citation: Awards and records Pervis Ellison, NBA Most Improved Player Award Larry Stewart, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team See also 1991–92 NBA season References Category:Washington Wizards seasons Wash Wiz Wiz