1998–99 New Jersey Nets season
| 1998–99 New Jersey Nets season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach |
|
| President | Michael Rowe |
| General manager | John Nash |
| Owners | Community Youth Organization |
| Arena | Continental Airlines Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 16–34 (.320) |
| Place | Division: 7th (Atlantic) Conference: 14th (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Local media | |
| Television | WPXN-TV Fox Sports New York |
| Radio | WOR |
The 1998–99 NBA season was the 32nd season for the New Jersey Nets in the National Basketball Association, and their 23rd season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Due to a lockout, the regular season began on February 5, 1999, and was cut from 82 games to 50.
During the off-season, the Nets signed free agents Eric Murdock and Scott Burrell, and acquired Jim McIlvaine from the Seattle SuperSonics. However, the team struggled and got off to an awful start by losing 18 of their first 21 games of the regular season. Head coach John Calipari was fired after a 3–17 start to the season, and was replaced with assistant Don Casey. At mid-season, Sam Cassell, who was out with an ankle injury after four games, was traded along with Chris Gatling to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade, as the Nets acquired Stephon Marbury from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and acquired Jamie Feick from the Bucks.
As the season progressed, the Nets were dealt with a blow when Jayson Williams suffered a severe knee injury in April, and was out for the remainder of the season after 30 games. Near the end of the season, the team signed free agent and 7' 7" Romanian center Gheorghe Mureșan, as the Nets finished in last place in the Atlantic Division with a disappointing 16–34 record.
Marbury averaged 23.4 points and 8.7 assists per game with the Nets in 31 games, while second-year star Keith Van Horn averaged 21.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. In addition, Kerry Kittles provided the team with 12.9 points and 1.7 steals per game, while Kendall Gill contributed 11.8 points and 2.7 steals per game, and Williams averaged 8.1 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Murdock provided with 7.9 points, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game in only just 15 games due to a groin injury, and Burrell contributed 6.6 points per game.
Following the season, Murdock was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, and Rony Seikaly was released to free agency and then retired. For the season, the Nets added new gray alternate road uniforms with dark navy side panels, which were slightly redesigned in 2000.