1998–99 Detroit Pistons season


The 1998–99 NBA season was the Pistons' 51st season in the National Basketball Association, and 42nd season in the city of Detroit. In the offseason, the Pistons acquired Christian Laettner from the Atlanta Hawks, and signed free agents Jud Buechler and Loy Vaught. Laettner would reunite with former Duke University teammate Grant Hill, but would only play just 16 games due to an Achilles injury and broken rib. After a solid year the previous season, Brian Williams changed his named to Bison Dele to honor his Cherokee heritage. In a season cut in half by a four-month lockout, the Pistons would bounce back from their disappointing season to finish third in the Central Division with a 29–21 record, and return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. In the playoffs, they would lose in five games to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. This season also marked an end of an era as Joe Dumars retired after a solid fourteen-year career. This was also Dele's final season of his career as he retired before the following season.

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
19Bonzi WellsSGBall State
240Korleone YoungSF

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Playoffs

East First Round

Atlanta Hawks vs. Detroit Pistons: Hawks win series 3–2
Last Playoff Meeting: 1997 Eastern Conference First Round

Player statistics

Season

Playoffs

Awards and records