1999–2000 Denver Nuggets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Denver Nuggets 2000 35 47 Midwest 5 10 Dan Issel Dan Issel Donald Sturm Pepsi Center Did not qualify DEN KTVD Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain KKFN The 1999–2000 Denver Nuggets season was the 24th season for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association, and their 33rd season as a franchise. Denver Nuggets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season For the season, the Nuggets moved into their new arena known as the Pepsi Center. Teaford Elliott Another Scorer Added in Trade Los Angeles Times September 28, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-28-sp-15075-story.html November 17, 2022 The Nuggets had the 18th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, and selected small forward James Posey out of Xavier University. Heisler Mark Dukies Are Way Up Los Angeles Times July 1, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-01-sp-52079-story.html June 4, 2023 Sheridan Chris Brand, Francis, Davis Go 1, 2, 3 Associated Press July 1, 1999 https://apnews.com/article/8d75bb7fc3a9c512276da749d3b83154 June 4, 2023 1999 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1999.html June 4, 2023 During the off-season, the team acquired Ron Mercer and Popeye Jones from the Boston Celtics, Associated Press Celtics Trade Mercer in Six-Player Deal Los Angeles Times August 4, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-04-sp-62584-story.html September 15, 2022 Greenberg Alan Celts Cash Out on Mercer Hartford Courant August 4, 1999 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1999-08-04-9908040321-story.html December 15, 2022 Associated Press NBA Teams Get Busy Trading and Signing Deseret News August 4, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/8/4/19458947/nba-teams-get-busy-trading-and-signing July 3, 2023 and signed free agent George McCloud. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Oakley Talks to Knicks and Meets with Lakers The New York Times August 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/04/sports/pro-basketball-oakley-talks-to-knicks-and-meets-with-lakers.html November 7, 2022 Wise Mike 1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best The New York Times October 31, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/31/sports/1999-2000-nba-preview-the-west-is-still-the-best.html January 13, 2022 Former Nuggets coach Dan Issel returned as head coach in his second stint with the team. Associated Press Plus: Pro Basketball -- Denver: Issel Takes Over Nuggets Again The New York Times September 15, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/15/sports/plus-pro-basketball-denver-issel-takes-over-nuggets-again.html June 8, 2022 Associated Press D'Antoni Out, Issel in as Nugget Coach Los Angeles Times September 15, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-15-sp-10466-story.html November 26, 2022 Regular season Under Issel and with the addition of Mercer, McCloud and Posey, the Nuggets played above .500 in winning percentage with a 17–15 record to start the regular season. Charlotte Hornets at Denver Nuggets Box Score, January 8, 2000 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200001080DEN.html September 16, 2022 However, the team soon struggled and fell below .500, posting a six-game losing streak in January afterwards, and holding a 21–27 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 10, 2000 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=10&year=2000 July 22, 2022 At mid-season, the Nuggets traded Mercer and Chauncey Billups, who only played just 13 games due to a sprained ankle and a shoulder injury, Nuggets' Billups Out with Injury Associated Press November 1, 1999 https://apnews.com/article/fab9320613648ac99463fdd848e58b45 November 15, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221116013631/https://apnews.com/article/fab9320613648ac99463fdd848e58b45 November 16, 2022 dead Billups Done for the Year United Press International December 23, 1999 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1999/12/23/Billups-done-for-the-year/2242945925200/ July 3, 2023 Times Wire Services Nuggets' Billups to Have Shoulder Surgery Los Angeles Times December 25, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-25-sp-47340-story.html June 8, 2022 and Johnny Taylor to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Tariq Abdul-Wahad, and Chris Gatling; Associated Press Magic and Nuggets Ship Players CBS News February 1, 2000 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/magic-and-nuggets-ship-players/ July 3, 2023 Associated Press Magic, Nuggets Agree to a Five-Player Trade Los Angeles Times February 1, 2000 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-01-sp-60005-story.html January 9, 2023 Associated Press N.B.A.: Orlando-Denver: Mercer Goes to Magic The New York Times February 2, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/02/sports/nba-orlando-denver-mercer-goes-to-magic.html October 15, 2021 however, Billups never played for the Magic, because of his shoulder injury. Chauncey Was Here Orlando Sentinel April 23, 2007 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2007/04/23/chauncey-was-here-2/ July 4, 2023 Schmitz Brian Billups Haunted Orlando Orlando Sentinel January 14, 2010 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2010-01-14-1001130260-story.html October 17, 2022 The team posted a seven-game losing streak in March, as Bryant Stith was out due to a leg injury after 45 games. Injured Stith Unsure of Future Associated Press March 17, 2000 https://apnews.com/article/32252fd960883f1924a660b3d82ec6d9 October 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221004221618/https://apnews.com/article/32252fd960883f1924a660b3d82ec6d9 October 4, 2022 dead The Nuggets managed to win their final four games of the season, and finished in fifth place in the Midwest Division with a 35–47 record, 1999–2000 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/2000_games.html July 15, 2021 missing the NBA playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. Antonio McDyess averaged 19.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, while Nick Van Exel averaged 16.1 points and 9.0 assists per game, and led the Nuggets with 133 three-point field goals, and second-year star Raef LaFrentz provided the team with 12.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. In addition, Gatling provided with 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 40 games after the trade, while McCloud contributed 10.1 points and 3.2 assists per game, along with 107 three-point field goals off the bench, and Abdul-Wahad contributed 8.9 points per game in 15 games. Meanwhile, second-year center Keon Clark averaged 8.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, Posey provided with 8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Stith contributed 5.6 points per game. 1999–2000 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/2000.html July 15, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at The Arena in Oakland in Oakland, California, LaFrentz and Posey were both selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as LaFrentz was a member of the Sophomores team, while Posey was a member of the Rookies team. Sports Scoreboard Times-Union February 12, 2000 3B https://books.google.com/books?id=7bI_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=2000+NBA+2+ball+steve+francis&article_id=6195,2369314&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji0aWep_CPAxVo4skDHSp2FjcQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=2000%20NBA%202%20ball%20steve%20francis&f=false September 24, 2025 2000 NBA Rising Stars: Rookies 92, Sophomores 83 (OT) Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2000_rookie.html September 24, 2025 LaFrentz scored 11 points along with 10 rebounds and 3 blocks, despite the Sophomores losing to the Rookies in overtime, 92–83. The Nuggets finished 18th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 637,698 at the Pepsi Center during the regular season. 1999–2000 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2000.html January 23, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Stith and second-round draft pick Chris Herren were both traded to the Boston Celtics, Reuters Plus: Pro Basketball: Pack Trade to Nuggets Official The New York Times October 17, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/17/sports/plus-pro-basketball-pack-trade-to-nuggets-official.html January 11, 2022 Associated Press Celtics, Nuggets Complete Four-Player Trade Los Angeles Times October 17, 2000 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-17-sp-37663-story.html October 3, 2022 Gardner Kris Pack Returns to Nuggets The Houston Roundball Review October 29, 2000 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'00-'01/2000_off-season/101600Pack,Herren_in_4_Player_deal.html July 4, 2023 while Gatling was traded back to his former team, the Miami Heat, who then sent him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade, Associated Press Gatling, Weatherspoon Go to Cavs ESPN August 31, 2000 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0830/712388.html July 8, 2023 Associated Press Pro Basketball: Trade Sends Grant to Heat The New York Times August 31, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/31/sports/pro-basketball-trade-sends-grant-to-heat.html June 28, 2022 Associated Press Kemp to Portland, Grant to Miami in 3-Team Deal Los Angeles Times August 31, 2000 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-31-sp-13198-story.html October 12, 2022 Jones was dealt to the Washington Wizards, Wyche Steve Wizards Trade Murray to Nuggets The Washington Post September 26, 2000 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/09/26/wizards-trade-murray-to-nuggets/0e716cde-bdc6-40a4-8470-7f693d1fd819/ November 26, 2022 and Cory Alexander signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic. Draft picks 1999 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 18 James Posey SF Xavier (OH) 2 33 Chris Herren PG Fresno State 2 41 Francisco Elson C California Roster Denver Nuggets 1999–2000 #002147 #CBA135 #A50021 #FFFFFF 9 Tariq Abdul-Wahad G 6 6 223 1974–11–03 San Jose State 7 Cory Alexander G 6 1 185 1973–06–22 Virginia 42 Ryan Bowen G/F 6 7 215 1975–11–20 Iowa 15 Keon Clark F/C 6 11 220 1975–04–16 UNLV 32 Chris Gatling F/C 6 10 220 1967–09–03 Old Dominion 8 Chris Herren G 6 2 197 1975–09–27 Fresno State 54 Popeye Jones F 6 8 250 1970–06–17 Murray State 45 Raef LaFrentz C 6 11 240 1976–05–29 Kansas 21 George McCloud G/F 6 6 205 1967–05–27 Florida State 24 Antonio McDyess F 6 9 220 1974–09–07 Alabama 41 James Posey G/F 6 8 215 1977–01–13 Xavier 25 Roy Rogers basketball F/C 6 10 235 1973–08–19 Alabama 23 Bryant Stith G 6 5 208 1970–12–10 Virginia 31 Nick Van Exel G 6 1 170 1971–11–27 Cincinnati Dan Issel Louie Dampier Mike Evans Kim Hughes John Lucas https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/2000.html Regular season Season standings DEN DEN z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log October 2020 Player statistics Regular season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPGAntonio McDyess818133.3.507.000.6268.52.00.91.719.1Ron Mercer373738.1.444.385.7884.12.80.90.418.3Nick Van Exel797937.3.390.332.8173.99.00.90.116.1Raef LaFrentz818030.1.446.328.6867.91.20.52.212.4Chris Gatling40019.3.456.234.7425.10.80.90.310.4George McCloud781127.2.417.378.8183.73.20.60.310.1Tariq Abdul-Wahad151024.9.389.500.7383.51.70.40.88.9Chauncey Billups13523.5.337.171.8412.63.00.80.28.6Keon Clark812022.8.542.125.6886.20.90.61.48.6James Posey817725.3.429.373.8003.91.81.20.48.2Bryant Stith45615.4.455.304.8311.91.40.40.35.6Chris Herren45113.3.363.358.6751.22.50.30.03.1Cory Alexander29211.3.286.257.7731.42.00.80.12.8Popeye Jones4018.3.423.667.7372.60.50.10.22.6Ryan Bowen52011.3.393.111.7172.20.40.80.32.5Roy Rogers4008.9.398.000.4632.00.20.11.02.2Johnny Taylor105.0.0001.00.00.00.00.0 Player statistics citation: Awards and records James Posey, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team References Category:Denver Nuggets seasons Denver Category:1999 in sports in Colorado Category:2000 in sports in Colorado