Charlotte Exchanged Kendall Gill for Two Veterans and a Higher Pick
On September 1, 1993, Charlotte traded wing Kendall Gill and a 1994 first-round selection that became No. 11 Carlos Rogers to Seattle. The SuperSonics sent Dana Barros, Eddie Johnson and their own 1994 first-rounder, ultimately No. 6 Sharone Wright. This was an unusually active exchange of two current NBA scorers for one young wing plus a swap of first-round positions. Gill had been an important Charlotte prospect and the organization was trying to improve its backcourt while pursuing greater draft flexibility. Seattle, already building around Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, wanted Gill's athletic defense and size. Both teams' transaction histories independently establish the assets and the September 1 date. The swap was completed before either 1994 first-round selection was used, so these should be described as future pick rights rather than known 1993 NBA players.
Charlotte Moved Several Incoming Assets Two Days Later
The Charlotte part of this story cannot be understood without September 3, 1993. The Hornets traded Barros and the first-round pick later used at No. 6, plus Sidney Green and Greg Graham rights, to Philadelphia for Hersey Hawkins. Therefore Barros did not give Charlotte several seasons of basketball production from the September 1 trade, and Sharone Wright did not enter the Hornets roster at No. 6. Their value was as immediately tradeable assets used in a separate move for an established shooting guard. Eddie Johnson provided experienced scoring when he remained with the club, but he too had a changing role late in his NBA career. The inherited Even Trade label is best interpreted as a balancing of Charlotte's extra future draft position and Seattle's acquisition of Gill, not a claim that Barros later earned his 1995 All-Star honor as a Hornet.
Gill and the No. 11 Selection Contributed to Seattle's Depth
Gill joined a strong Seattle team and offered rebounding and perimeter defense around Payton, Kemp and other established starters. The Sonics had a 63-win regular season in 1993-94 before a stunning opening-round playoff defeat, and Gill's role was part of a deeper rotation rather than a single-player explanation for that result. Seattle exercised the 1994 choice at No. 11 on Carlos Rogers, a forward with later NBA playing time. The two franchises were exchanging several types of value: Charlotte briefly controlled a higher pick and two veteran scorers, while Seattle gained a younger experienced wing and a first-round selection it could use. Both sides were assessed B in the inherited historical record, and the Even Trade verdict fits the different asset timing once the later Philadelphia deal is included separately.
Final Verdict
Even Trade, with inherited B grades for Charlotte and the Seattle franchise. The Hornets obtained Dana Barros, Eddie Johnson and a 1994 No. 6 pick but rapidly moved Barros and that pick to Philadelphia for Hersey Hawkins. Seattle received Kendall Gill and the 1994 No. 11 selection used on Carlos Rogers, generating a different form of wing depth.