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] Prior to the start of the season, the Wizards acquired All-Star guard Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe from the Sacramento Kings.
[25][26][27] The team posted a 7-game losing streak in April, and lost nine of their final eleven games finishing sixth in the Atlantic Division with a disappointing 18–32 record.
[29] Following the season, Thorpe signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat,[30][31][32] while Cheaney signed with the Boston Celtics,[33][34][35] Wallace, Terry Davis and Tim Legler were all traded to the Orlando Magic,[36][37][38][39] who then released Davis and Legler to free agency, and Brovelli was fired as head coach.