East Rutherford, N.J. ? The New Jersey Nets sent veteran guard Jeff McInnis to the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday for swingman Bernard Robinson.

McInnis, who spent this season on the inactive list, averaged 5.3 points and 1.9 assists in 28 games last season, his only year in New Jersey. McInnis, who missed the final 48 games due to an injury to his left knee, was sent to the Bobcats along with undisclosed cash considerations.

It’s a homecoming for McInnis, who grew up in Charlotte and attended North Carolina. He will provide the Bobcats with a much-needed backup point guard. Brevin Knight is out at least three more weeks because of a torn abdominal muscle, leaving Raymond Felton as the team’s only true point guard.

“We are familiar with what Jeff brings to the table with his athleticism, work ethic and court savvy,” said Bobcats coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff, who drafted and coached McInnis in Denver.

Robinson was a second-round pick in the 2004 draft. He averaged 4.8 points and almost 3.0 rebounds in 118 career games with Charlotte.

He appeared in 21 games this season, averaging 2.4 points and 2.0 rebounds.