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] During the off-season, the Suns signed free agent Tom Gugliotta,[17][18][19][20] acquired Luc Longley from the Chicago Bulls,[21][22][23] acquired rookie forward Pat Garrity from the Dallas Mavericks,[24][25][26] signed Chris Morris, and re-signed former Suns center Joe Kleine.
After a 15–18 start, the Suns won 12 of their final 17 games, and finished tied with the Sacramento Kings for third in the Pacific Division with a record of 27–23.
[29] The 7th-seeded Suns made the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season before being swept in the Western Conference First Round to the 2nd-seeded, and Pacific winner-Portland Trail Blazers, three games to zero.