[2] The Nuggets had the 18th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, and selected James Posey out of Xavier University.
[3][4][5][6] During the off-season, the team acquired Ron Mercer and Popeye Jones from the Boston Celtics,[7][8][9][10] and signed free agent George McCloud.
[11][9][12] With Dan Issel back as head coach,[13][14] the Nuggets had a solid nucleus of second-year star Raef LaFrentz, Antonio McDyess and Nick Van Exel with a 17–15 record to start the season.
[16] At the trade deadline, Mercer was dealt along with Chauncey Billups, who only played just 13 games due to a sprained ankle and a shoulder injury,[17][18][19] and Johnny Taylor to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Tariq Abdul-Wahad and Chris Gatling.
[24][25] The Nuggets went on a 7-game losing streak in March, as Bryant Stith only played just 45 games due to a leg injury.