The 1996–97 Washington Bullets season was the 36th season for the Washington Bullets in the National Basketball Association, and their 24th season in Washington, D.C.. During the off-season, the Bullets acquired Rod Strickland, and former Bullets forward Harvey Grant from the Portland Trail Blazers, and signed free agents Tracy Murray, Jaren Jackson and Lorenzo Williams. Despite a stellar season last year, Juwan Howard signed a 7-year $100 million contract with the Miami Heat. However, the deal was voided claiming that the Heat exceeded their salary cap; the Bullets quickly re-signed Howard, but would lose their first-round draft pick next year.