The Seattle SuperSonics are as eager to have Kendall Gill as Gill is to get out of Charlotte.
The Sonics on Wednesday acquired Gill for guards Dana Barros and Eddie Johnson. The Hornets also received the option to swap their 1994 first-round draft choice for the Sonics' pick in 1994.Gill, a 6-foot-5 guard who averaged 16.9 points last season, has been unhappy in Charlotte the last two seasons since the arrival of Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson.
"Kendall Gill has indicated that he does not want to be here," Hornets president Spencer Stolpen said. "And with our team chemistry and the positive direction in which the team is heading, we do not want to jeopardize our franchise because of a player that does not want to be in Charlotte."
"I'm glad to have the opportunity to go to a contender," Gill said. "Seattle is a team that wins a lot of games, and their style of play matches a lot of what I like to do. I think this is a great opportunity for me."
The trade became possible when Gill signed last week for a reported $26.6 million for seven years.
"I have no problem with Kendall," Sonics president Bob Whitsitt said. "We spent time with him as a free agent earlier this summer . . . He's a quality person. We liked him before the draft in 1991. We think we can make him a great player."
Johnson, a 12-year veteran, averaged 14.4 points last season. The 6-8 swingman was the league's third best free-throw shooter, hitting more than 91 percent.
Barros, a 5-10 guard, averaged 7.8 points last season after leading the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage in 1991-92.
"We gave up two role players; we got a starter," Whitsitt said. "You're not going to get a Kendall Gill for two role players."
Gill joins a team that came within one game of the Western Conference championship last season, finally losing to Phoenix. He will start alongside point guard Gary Payton, the second overall pick in the 1990 draft.
"Since I've been here, it's a position at which we've talked about improving our speed and talent," Sonics coach George Karl said. "In Kendall Gill, we get somebody who's close to All-Star caliber and who fits our personality."
Barros and Johnson sought a trade to get more playing time. Dave Twardzik, the Hornets' director of player personnel, said the two will bolster Charlotte's bench scoring and depth.
The final ingredient of the deal was the swap of first-round draft positions. As a result of previous deals, the Hornets get the highest pick of those available to themselves, Phoenix and Philadelphia.
And just to complicate this mix, Barros said Wednesday he expects to be traded by Charlotte, probably with Sidney Green and a first-round pick, to Philadelphia for guard Hersey Hawkins.