The 1998–99 NBA season was the Mavericks' 19th season in the NBA. In the offseason, the Mavericks acquired point guard Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns, and traded their top draft pick Robert Traylor to the Milwaukee Bucks for rookie Dirk Nowitzki, while signing free agent Gary Trent. In a season shortened by a four-month lockout, the young Mavericks began to show promise by posting their first winning record at home in ten years at 15–10. However, they were still a mile away from the playoffs as they finished fifth in the Midwest Division with a 19–31 record. Following the season, A.C. Green was traded back to the Los Angeles Lakers, Samaki Walker signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs and Hot Rod Williams retired.