Johnson-for-Mason Said to Be Complete

Larry Johnson’s agent said Friday the Charlotte Hornet forward is headed for New York and is excited about the move.

“It’s a done deal,” George Bass, Johnson’s agent, said of the widely reported deal with the Knicks for forward Anthony Mason and other considerations. “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.”

Johnson said he would miss his Hornet teammates but was looking forward to playing in New York.

“I definitely feel I’m getting out of a bad situation,” said Johnson, the No. 1 pick in the 1991 NBA draft who signed a 12-year, $84-million contract with the Hornets three years ago.

“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 told the Winston-Salem Journal in an interview published Friday. “But outside what I feel for those guys, I’m happy about this, and I’m ready to move on.

“It’s time for a fresh, new start--and I couldn’t be going to a better situation than the Knicks. They’ve got a very good ballclub, a great tradition, and it’s New York.”

Final details of the deal have not been completed. The Charlotte Observer reported that the Knicks still must fit one or more other deals under their salary cap.

Johnson, who has averaged 20.5 points and eight rebounds during his career, has struggled with injuries in the past few years. After a franchise-best record of 50-32 in 1994-95, the Hornets lost to Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.

A shake-up in the organization followed, with Hersey Hawkins being traded to Seattle and center Alonzo Mourning going to Miami. Coach Allan Bristow resigned and Hornet President Spencer Stolpen stepped down at the end of a disappointing 41-41 season.

“When they traded Hersey Hawkins, that was the beginning of the end,” Johnson told the Journal. “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, who is two years older than Johnson at 29, has averaged 14.6 points and nine rebounds. The 6-7 Mason currently is under a six-year contract at more than $20 million.

“I don’t have bad feelings, but when people tell you to your face that you’re going to end your career here, you take them at their word,” he told the Newark Star-Ledger.