The 1998–99 NBA season was the Mavericks' 19th season in the National Basketball Association. Due to a lockout, the regular season began on February 5, 1999, and was cut from 82 games to 50.
In the 1998 NBA draft, the Mavericks selected Robert Traylor from the University of Michigan with the sixth overall pick, but soon traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for their top draft pick, and German basketball star Dirk Nowitzki. In the off-season, the team acquired point guard Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns, signed free agents Gary Trent, and Hot Rod Williams, and released Khalid Reeves to free agency later on during the regular season, as he later on signed with the Detroit Pistons. However, the young Mavericks still struggled losing eight of their first nine games, but began to show promise by posting their first winning record at home in nine years at 15–10. However, with Cedric Ceballos only playing just 13 games due to a wrist injury, they were still a mile away from the playoffs as they finished fifth in the Midwest Division with a 19–31 record.
Michael Finley averaged 20.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while Trent averaged 16.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and Ceballos provided the team with 12.5 points per game. In addition, Shawn Bradley averaged 8.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, while Hubert Davis contributed 9.1 points per game, Robert Pack averaged 8.9 points and 3.2 assists per game in only just 25 games due to injury, Nowitzki provided with 8.2 points per game, and Nash contributed 7.9 points and 5.5 assists per game. Trent also finished in third place in Most Improved Player voting.
Following the season, A.C. Green was traded back to his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, while Samaki Walker signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs, and second-year center Chris Anstey was traded to the Chicago Bulls.
Offseason
Draft picks
Robert Traylor was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Pat Garrity and Dirk Nowitzki.
Roster
Roster Notes
- Center Shawn Bradley holds both American and German citizenship.
- Rookie small forward Ansu Sesay missed the entire season due to a broken right foot, and never played for the Mavericks.
Regular season
Season standings
- z - clinched division title
- y - clinched division title
- x - clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
Game log
Player statistics
Ragular season
Awards and records
Transactions
See also
- 1998-99 NBA season
References
