Roster
| No. | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | Birth Date | Exp | College |
| 3 | Shareef Abdur-Rahim | SF | 6-9 | 225 | December 11, 1976 | 2 | University of California |
| 10 | Mike Bibby | PG | 6-1 | 190 | May 13, 1978 | R | University of Arizona |
| 32 | Pete Chilcutt | PF | 6-10 | 230 | September 14, 1968 | 7 | University of North Carolina |
| 24 | Terry Dehere | SG | 6-2 | 190 | September 12, 1971 | 5 | Seton Hall University |
| 52 | J.R. Henderson | SF | 6-8 | 226 | October 30, 1976 | R | University of California, Los Angeles |
| 14 | Carl Herrera | PF | 6-9 | 215 | December 14, 1966 | 7 | University of Houston |
| 13 | Felipe Lopez | SG | 6-5 | 199 | December 19, 1974 | R | St. John’s University |
| 7 | Sam Mack | SF | 6-7 | 220 | May 26, 1970 | 4 | University of Houston |
| 44 | Tony Massenburg | PF | 6-9 | 220 | July 31, 1967 | 6 | University of Maryland |
| 11 | Lee Mayberry | PG | 6-1 | 172 | June 12, 1970 | 6 | University of Arkansas |
| 40 | Makhtar N’Diaye | PF | 6-8 | 245 | December 12, 1973 | R | University of North Carolina |
| 1 | Cherokee Parks | C | 6-11 | 235 | October 11, 1972 | 3 | Duke University |
| 50 | Bryant Reeves | C | 7-0 | 275 | June 8, 1973 | 3 | Oklahoma State University |
| 12 | Rodrick Rhodes | SG | 6-6 | 225 | September 24, 1973 | 1 | University of Southern California |
| 23 | Jason Sasser | SF | 6-7 | 225 | January 13, 1974 | 1 | Texas Tech University |
| 34 | Michael Smith | PF | 6-8 | 230 | March 28, 1972 | 4 | Providence College |
| 2 | Doug West | SG | 6-6 | 200 | May 27, 1967 | 9 | Villanova University |
| 6 | DeJuan Wheat | PG | 6-0 | 165 | October 14, 1973 | 1 | University of Louisville |
Transactions
-June 24/98: In the post season lottery, the Grizzlies actually win the top pick but aren’t eligible for first pick as part of NBA franchise agreement. With second overall pick of the NBA entry draft, the Grizzlies select point guard Mike Bibby from Arizona. Bibby was expected to go number one, but instead, the San Diego Clippers chose centre Michael Olowokandi. “I have no idea what the Clippers were thinking,” said Bibby, who led Arizona to the NCAA title as a freshman. “I was looking forward to getting drafted, me being No. 1 was just a lot of talk and rumours. I had no idea where I was going to go. It was nothing I could control. I’m happy being No. 2.” Stu Jackson dubbed Bibby the “consummate” point guard. “It’s a big break for us that he fell to No.2.” With 56th overall pick of the draft, obtained from the LA Lakers, the Grizzlies selected J.R. Henderson of UCLA. The Grizzlies then dealt Antonio Daniels to San Antonio for the draft rights Felipe Lopez (the 24th pick overall in the draft) and veteran power forward Carl Herrera.
-June 30/98: Carl Herrera exercises player option to extend contract.
-July 1/98: Blue Edwards, George Lynch, Ivano Newbill and Larry Robinson become free agents.
-January 22/99: Sign Mike Bibby, Felipe Lopez and Cherokee Parks to multi-year contracts. Sign Greg Drieling, J.R. Henderson, Sean Higgins, Dan Muller, Makhtar N’Diaye, Jason Sasser and Corey Beck to contracts. Renounce free agent exception rights to Larry Robinson.
-January 25/99: Waive Bobby Hurley.
-January 26/99: In post lockout environment, Abdur-Rahim signs a six-year rookie contract extension that will earn him $70.8-million (U.S.) in salary, the maximum he can earn under the new labour agreement. Abdur-Rahim had the option of waiting three months and becoming a free agent after three years with the Grizzlies. Instead, he inked a deal, saying “when you really look at it, this is more money than my parents ever made. I’m pleased and blessed to be in the situation I’m in.”
-January 28/99: Waive Corey Beck.
-January 29/99: Sign DeJuan Wheat and Reggie Geary to contracts.
-February 1/99: Waive Greg Drieling, Reggie Geary and Sean Higgins.
-February 18/99: Waive Dan Muller and Jason Sasser.
-February 28/99: Waive Carl Herrera.
-March 11/99: Trade Sam Mack to the Houston Rockets for Rodrick Rhodes.
-March 23/99: Sign Terry Dehere to a 10-day contract. He is later signed to another 10-day contract and then for the remainder of the season.
Grizzlies 1998-99 Player Stats at basketballreference.com
Salaries
| 1 | Bryant Reeves | $7,222,000 |
| 2 | Bobby Hurley | $4,030,000 |
| 3 | Doug West | $2,915,000 |
| 4 | Mike Bibby | $2,400,000 |
| 5 | Michael Smith | $2,180,000 |
| 6 | Carl Herrera | $2,080,000 |
| 7 | Cherokee Parks | $2,000,000 |
| 8 | Doug Edwards | $1,625,000 |
| 9 | Lee Mayberry | $1,540,000 |
| 10 | Tony Massenburg | $900,000 |
| 11 | Pete Chilcutt | $700,000 |
| 12 | Rodrick Rhodes | $639,300 |
| 13 | Felipe Lopez | $600,000 |
| 14 | Terry Dehere | $537,500 |
| 15 | Marcus Brown | $500,000 |
| 16 | DeJuan Wheat | $350,000 |
| 17 | J.R. Henderson | $287,500 |
| 18 | Makhtar N’Diaye | $287,500 |
Season wrap
In the lockout shortened season, the Grizzlies finish 8-42. Worst record in league. Managed only one road win, matching the 1952-53 Philadelphia team (1-28) and the 1990-91 Sacramento Kings (1-40). Little depth. injuries. A ballooning Bryant Reeves. A young roster. Reeves missed final month of season with knee injury. Point guard Lee Mayberry missed most of season with knee tendinitis. Shooting guard Doug West missed most of season with toe injury. Bibby tired late in season. Bibby has reasonable rookie season, averaging 6.5 apg. Average attendance 16,718.