The 1998–99 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 10th season in the National Basketball Association. A year after signing Kevin Garnett to an unprecedented six-year $121 million contract, the Timberwolves had a heavy payroll and were forced to let Tom Gugliotta walk away and trade Stephon Marbury, fearing both would seek similar deals to Garnett; Gugliotta would sign as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns before the start of the season. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves signed free agents Joe Smith, and Malik Sealy, and acquired second-year guard Bobby Jackson, and Dean Garrett (who previously played for the T-Wolves during the 1996–97 season) from the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade during the off-season.