Head coach Paul Westphal Record 25–25 (.500) | General manager Wally Walker Playoff finish DNQ | |
Arena KeyArena at Seattle Center Place Division: 5th (Pacific)
Conference: 9th (Western) | ||
The 1998–99 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 31st season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Sonics signed free agent Billy Owens while re-signing Olden Polynice. After a four-month lockout wiped out half the season, the Sonics got off to a strong start under new head coach Paul Westphal winning their first six games. However, they soon fell apart losing six of their next nine games as injuries limited Vin Baker to just 34 games. From there, the Sonics would play around .500 for the rest of the season missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years with a 25–25 record, fifth in the Pacific Division.
Following the season, Detlef Schrempf signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers, Hersey Hawkins was traded to the Chicago Bulls, Polynice signed with the Utah Jazz, and Owens was traded along with Dale Ellis to the Orlando Magic, who later on sent Owens to the Philadelphia 76ers and Ellis back to the Milwaukee Bucks.