Hornets Trade Chapman to Bullets

Injured guard Rex Chapman was traded by the Charlotte Hornets to the Washington Bullets for forward Tom Hammonds, Hornet President Spencer Stolpen said Wednesday.

Chapman, the former Kentucky star, was the eighth pick in the 1988 NBA draft and the Hornets’ first-ever draft choice. Chapman, the Hornets’ all-time scoring leader, has missed the last 30 games because of a bruised left heel.

“I’m happy,” said Chapman, who hopes to begin playing by mid-March. “I’ve been hoping it would happen for a while. I guess this is the thing that will make everybody happy.”

Hammonds, a former Georgia Tech standout, was selected ninth overall by the Bullets in the 1989 draft. In 37 games this season, he has averaged 11.9 points and five rebounds.