Charlotte Paid Two Picks and Kurt Rambis for Armen Gilliam
The Hornets acquired high-scoring forward Armen Gilliam from Phoenix on December 13, 1989, sending veteran Kurt Rambis and their 1990 and 1991 second-round picks to the Suns. The two choices later became No. 31 Negele Knight and No. 32 Chad Gallagher. Both teams’ transaction ledgers and the Hornets’ official historical guide confirm all three outgoing assets, rather than portraying the deal as a simple Rambis-for-Gilliam swap. Charlotte was an expansion franchise searching for more reliable scoring in the frontcourt. Phoenix wanted a veteran defender and rebounding presence plus future draft opportunities.
Gilliam Immediately Became Charlotte’s Leading Scorer
After the transaction Gilliam played 60 Hornets games in 1989-90, starting 59 and averaging 18.8 points with 8.8 rebounds. Those team-specific figures are more useful than his full-season averages, which blend 16 Phoenix games with the 60 Charlotte appearances. Gilliam remained in Charlotte the following season for another 27 games, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds before a subsequent Philadelphia trade. The Hornets’ B+ grade is supported by that substantial immediate production and the ability to exchange the player again. He was not a multi-year franchise cornerstone, but he clearly filled the precise scoring role the Hornets wanted. His 18.8-point average led Charlotte that season, and his arrival gave the team a proven frontcourt scorer despite missing the playoffs.
Phoenix Got Rambis and Future Draft Options
Rambis played the remainder of 1989-90 for the Suns, joining a team that reached the Western Conference finals that season. He offered rebounding and defense rather than the nearly 19-point offense Gilliam gave Charlotte. The No. 31 choice in 1990 was used on Negele Knight, a guard who later played in the NBA, while the No. 32 pick in 1991 became Chad Gallagher. Those separate assets made the Suns’ return more than a short veteran rental. Phoenix’s B- grade recognizes role-player and selection value, while Charlotte’s stronger B+ emphasizes what Gilliam supplied directly across 87 Hornets appearances.
Final Verdict
Charlotte Win. The Hornets get B+ for Armen Gilliam’s 60-game, 18.8-point first partial season and his further 27 games before another move. Phoenix earns B- for Kurt Rambis and two second-round picks that became Negele Knight and Chad Gallagher. Charlotte secured the more productive immediate player.