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] The Grizzlies had the second overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, and selected Mike Bibby from the University of Arizona, acquired rookie guard Felipe López from the San Antonio Spurs,[17][18][19][20][21] and signed free agent Cherokee Parks during the off-season.
[24][25] Midway through the season, three-point specialist Sam Mack was traded back to his former team, the Houston Rockets in exchange for second-year guard Rodrick Rhodes.
[26][27][28] The Grizzlies lost their final seven games, returning to last place in the Midwest Division with a league worst record of 8–42.