A deal sending Charlotte Hornets forward Larry Johnson to the New York Knicks for Anthony Mason and Brad Lohaus is imminent, according to published reports.
An announcement could be made later today, the Winston-Salem Journal and the Gaston Gazette reported."It's a done deal," said George Bass, Johnson's agent. "Everything has been worked out, and he's excited about going to New York. I think it's going to be a good situation for everybody."
But The Charlotte Observer, quoting a source in New York, reported that the Knicks still must fit one or more other deals under their salary cap, so it may take a little longer for the deal to go through.
When Johnson's agent, Steve Endicott, negotiated a 12-year, $84 million contract with the Hornets in 1993, he put in a kicker clause in the event the 6-foot-7 forward was ever traded.
The clause calls for a team that acquires Johnson to pay him $10.1 million. But the Knicks and Hornets reportedly have negotiated a deal in which Charlotte pays $5 million of the kicker, New York $4.3 million and Johnson the rest.
Johnson, the No. 1 pick in the 1991 NBA draft, told the Journal he has mixed emotions about the trade.
"The first thing I've got to do is get over the shock of being traded and not being on the same team with Muggsy Bogues, Dell Curry, Scott Burrell and those guys," Johnson said Thursday night.
Otherwise, "I'm happy about this, and I'm ready to move on. I definitely feel I'm getting out of a bad situation," he said.
Johnson, who has averaged 20.5 points and eight rebounds during his career, has struggled off and on with injuries in the past few years. Following a franchise-best record of 50-32 during the 1994-95 season, the Hornets lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Bulls.
A shakeup in the organization followed with the trade of Hersey Hawkins to Seattle, followed by center Alonzo Mourning to Miami. Coach Allan Bristow resigned and president Spencer Stolpen stepped down at the end of a disappointing 41-41 season last year.
"When they traded Hersey Hawkins, that was the beginning of the end," Johnson said. "People hit the panic button right then, when we didn't make the second round ... And all this stuff since then - well, it speaks for itself."
Mason, two years older than Johnson at 29, has averaged 14.6 points and nine rebounds for his career. The 6-7 Mason is under a six-year contract at more than $20 million. Lohaus is viewed as an extra player to help the Knicks fall under the salary cap.
Mason said he's frustrated with the Knicks for trading him away from his hometown when he said the team told him he would stay.
"I don't have bad feelings, but when people tell you to your face that you're going to end you career here, you take them at your word," Mason said.