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] In the off-season, the Nets signed free agents Eric Murdock and Scott Burrell,[17][18] and acquired Jim McIlvaine from the Seattle SuperSonics.
[31][32][33] Near the end of the season, the team signed free agent and 7' 7" center Gheorghe Mureșan,[34] as the Nets finished last place in the Atlantic Division with a disappointing 16–34 record.
[40] For the season, the Nets added new gray alternate road uniforms with dark navy side panels, which were slightly redesigned in 2000.