After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games.
[7][8][9][10][11] However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern, and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout.
[12][13][14][15][16] After their dreadful season, where they finished with the league's worst record at 11–71, the Nuggets received the third overall pick the 1998 NBA draft, and selected Raef LaFrentz from the University of Kansas.
[24][25][27] Despite the return of Antonio McDyess, who was re-signed by the team after one season with the Phoenix Suns,[28][29][30][31] the Nuggets continued to struggle under new head coach Mike D'Antoni,[32] losing eight of their first nine games.
[38] Also following the season, Fortson, Williams and second-year guard Eric Washington were all traded to the Boston Celtics,[39][40][41][42] and D'Antoni was fired as head coach.