1998–99 Charlotte Hornets season
The 1998–99 NBA season was the eleventh season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Hornets signed free agents Derrick Coleman, Chuck Person, Eldridge Recasner and Chucky Brown. After a lockout wiped out half the season, which was cut to 50 games, the Hornets began their season dealing with injuries, as Anthony Mason was lost for the entire season with a biceps injury suffered in practice a few days before the start of the season, and All-Star forward Glen Rice was also out with an elbow injury. The  Hornets struggled losing eight of their first nine games, which led to a disappointing 4–11 start to the season, as head coach Dave Cowens was replaced with assistant Paul Silas. A few days later, Rice was traded along with J.R. Reid, and B. J. Armstrong to the Los Angeles Lakers for All-Star guard Eddie Jones, and Elden Campbell. The team improved under Silas posting a 22–13 record, including a nine-game winning streak in April. The Hornets finished fifth in the Central Division with a 26–24 record. However, despite their above .500 record, they failed to qualify for the  playoffs for the first time since the 1995–96 season. Jones averaged 17.0 points and 3.0 steals per game with the team in 30 games after the trade, and was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Campbell averaged 15.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in 32 games. In addition, Bobby Phills provided the team with 14.3 points and 1.4 steals per game, while David Wesley contributed 14.1 points, 6.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game, Coleman provided with 13.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, and Brown contributed 8.5 points per game. The Hornets finished  sixth the NBA in attendance for the season. Following the season, Person signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics, and Brown signed with the San Antonio Spurs. Transactions. Signed Brad Miller as a free agent. Signed Eldridge Recasner as a free agent. Signed Charles Shackleford as a free agent. Signed Chucky Brown as a free agent. Signed Derrick Coleman as a free agent. Signed Chuck Person as a free agent. Signed Joe Wolf as a free agent. Signed Willie Burton as a free agent. Waived Willie Burton. Waived Joe Wolf. Traded B. J. Armstrong, J. R. Reid and  Glen Rice to the Los Angeles Lakers for Elden Campbell and Eddie Jones. Waived Travis Williams. Signed Corey Beck to the first of two 10-day contracts. Signed Corey Beck to a contract for the rest of the season. Player Transactions Citation: