CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Hornets, looking to make room in a crowded front line and find leadership for a young team, traded starting forward Johnny Newman to the New Jersey Nets for reserve guard Rumeal Robinson.
The trade was announced by the Nets on Friday night, 20 minutes before their game against the Chicago Bulls.
The 30-year-old Newman averaged 13 points per game in just under 24 minutes of playing time for Charlotte this season. Newman's best season was in 1990-91 when he averaged 16.9 points in 81 games for the Hornets.
Charlotte already had Dell Curry, Eddie Johnson and David Wingate to play the small forward spot, but 5-3 Muggsy Bogues was their only true point guard.
The Nets, with their only consistent offense coming from Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman, will look for Newman to add scoring.
'We believe Johnny can play both the shooting guard and small forward position for us,' Nets Executive Vice President and General Manager Willis Reed said. 'Chuck (coach Chuck Daly) felt we needed more outside shooting shooting and Johnny will help in that department.'
Newman is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. Newman was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1986 and played one year with Cleveland before joining the New York Knicks in 1987. Newman played three years with the Knicks and signed as a restricted free agent with Charlotte in July 1990.
The 27-year-old Robinson was acquired by the Nets from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Mookie Blaylock before the 1992-93 season. Robinson averaged 5.9 points and 2.6 assists in just under 18 minutes off the bench in 17 games with the Nets this season.
Robinson was a first round pick of Atlanta in 1990. He averaged a career-high 13 points per game in 81 games for Atlanta in 1991-92.
