According to famous reporter Marc Stein, Don Nelson was awarded the Chuck Daley Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Basketball Coaches Association.

Nelson said in an interview that his favorite player among the 1998 rookies was Pierce, but his son (Nelson Jr.) insisted on choosing Dirk Nowitzki with the ninth pick. Pierce was finally selected by the Celtics in the 10th pick.

In 1998, Don Nelson served as the head coach and general manager of the Mavericks, and Nelson Jr. served as the deputy general manager.