The 1990–91 NBA season was the Charlotte Hornets' third season in the National Basketball Association. In the 1990 NBA draft, the Hornets had the fifth overall pick, and selected Kendall Gill from the University of Illinois. After playing one year in the Midwest Division in the Western Conference, the Hornets returned to the Eastern Conference and moved into the Central Division. In the off-season, the team signed free agent Johnny Newman, and later on traded Armen Gilliam to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Mike Gminski at midseason. The franchise improved seven games over the previous season finishing with 26 wins and 56 losses. However, they finished last place in their division for the third straight season.