The 1988–89 NBA season was the 76ers 40th season in the NBA and 26th season in Philadelphia. In the 1988 NBA draft, the 76ers selected power forward Charles D. Smith from the University of Pittsburgh with the third overall pick, but then traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for shooting guard Hersey Hawkins from Bradley University, as the team needed more backcourt scoring to complement the inside play of Charles Barkley. The team also acquired Ron Anderson from the Indiana Pacers during the off-season. The Sixers would return to the NBA Playoffs after failing to qualify in 1988, holding a 26–20 record at the All-Star break, and finishing second in the Atlantic Division with a 46–36 record.