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.
[2][3][4][5][6] Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled.
[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.
The Knicks would become the first #8 seed to reach the NBA Finals, but would lose in five games to the San Antonio Spurs.
[50] Following the season, Porter signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs,[51][52][53][54] while Terry Mills re-signed with his former team, the Detroit Pistons,[55][56][57] and Edwards, and long-time Heat forward Keith Askins were both released to free agency.