1998–99 Milwaukee Bucks season


The 1998–99 NBA season was the Bucks' 31st season in the National Basketball Association. After a four-month lockout, the Bucks hired George Karl, who previously coached the Seattle SuperSonics as their new head coach. The team also traded their top draft pick Dirk Nowitzki to the Dallas Mavericks for rookie Robert Traylor, and signed free agents Dell Curry and Vinny Del Negro. The Bucks transition continued at midseason trading Terrell Brandon to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and acquiring Sam Cassell and Chris Gatling from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Elliot Perry in a three-team trade. In another trade, they dealt Tyrone Hill to the Philadelphia 76ers for second-year forward Tim Thomas and Scott Williams, while signing free agent Haywoode Workman.
Under Karl, the Bucks played above.500 for the entire season as they finally entered the playoffs after a seven-year playoff drought, finishing fourth in the Central Division with a 28–22 record. In the first round of the playoffs, they would be swept by the Indiana Pacers in three straight games. Following the season, Curry signed as a free agent with the Toronto Raptors, Gatling was traded along with Armen Gilliam to the Orlando Magic, and Michael Curry re-signed with the Detroit Pistons.

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
19Dirk NowitzkiPF/SF
119Pat GarrityPF/SFNotre Dame
239Rafer AlstonPGFresno State

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Playoffs

East First Round

2) Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks:
Pacers win series 3-0
Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Pacers and Bucks.

Player statistics

Season

Playoffs

Awards and records

Transactions

Trades

Free agents