The 1999–2000 Vancouver Grizzlies season was the 5th season of the franchise, 5th in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 5th in Vancouver. After finishing the lockout season with the worst record, the Grizzlies selected Steve Francis with the second pick in the 1999 NBA draft. However, Francis refused to play for the Canadian team, and was soon traded to the Houston Rockets for Michael Dickerson and Othella Harrington. Francis would be named Rookie of The Year along with Elton Brand of the Chicago Bulls.

During the offseason, the Grizzlies signed free agents Grant Long and Dennis Scott. Under new head coach Lionel Hollins, the Grizzlies still struggled posting an 11-game losing streak after a 3–3 start to the season. They lost 14 of their 15 games in March finishing last place in the Midwest Division with a 22–60 record. Shareef Abdur-Rahim continued to lead them in scoring with 20.3 points per game. Dickerson increased his scoring averaging 18.2 points per game, and second-year star Mike Bibby led the team with 8.1 assists per game. Following the season, Scott was traded along with Cherokee Parks to the Washington Wizards, but was later on released and then retired.

The Grizzlies originally had three picks entering the Draft. Steve Francis was the 2nd overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft from the University of Maryland. Francis most notably cried after being chosen by Vancouver, swearing the Chicago Bulls would regret selecting Elton Brand first overall instead. Following Vancouver's draft, Francis publicly announced that he did not want to play for the Grizzlies, citing the distance from his Maryland home, taxes, endorsements, and God's will. Francis was heavily criticized for his antics, especially in Vancouver. Following his public outburst, Francis was traded to the Houston Rockets that summer in a three-team, 11-player deal that brought Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Antoine Carr, Brent Price, plus first- and second-round picks to the Grizzlies. He and Brand shared Rookie of the Year honors.

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