[7][8][9][10][11] During the off-season, the team acquired Walt Williams, Kelvin Cato and Carlos Rogers from the Portland Trail Blazers,[12][13][14][15] and signed free agent Shandon Anderson.
The Rockets won seven of their final ten games in April, and finished sixth in the Midwest Division with a record of 34–48,[22] failing to qualify for the playoffs, which was the first time they missed the postseason since the 1991–92 season.
Francis averaged 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game,[23] as he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and shared Rookie of the Year honors with Elton Brand of the Chicago Bulls.
Francis finished second in the Slam Dunk Contest to Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors.
[30] After he already announced in the off-season that the upcoming season would be his last, Charles Barkley suffered a knee injury during an 83–73 road loss to his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers on December 8, 1999, after attempting to block a shot on 76ers' forward Tyrone Hill; the injury forced an early end to his career.