Players involved in the deal. From left to right: Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Gordon, Chris Paul. [Source:Sina.com]

The New Orleans Hornets have agreed in principle to send Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, centre Chris Kaman and a first-round draft choice, sources with knowledge of the deal said.

A trade call with the league to approve the deal is expected later Wednesday night.

The 26-year-old Paul, a four-time all-star, averaged 18.7 points and 9.8 assists last season, his sixth in the NBA.

While the Clippers will receive the four-time All-Star point guard to pair with franchise centerpiece Blake Griffin, the Hornets, meanwhile, get the youth the NBA wanted with Gordon, 22, who averaged 22.3 points last season, and Aminu, 21, who averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds as a rookie. Kaman, 29, is a 7-footer who gives the Hornets needed size.

The Clippers initially backed off including Gordon and the unprotected draft pick in the deal earlier in the week. But with the Lakers possibly re-entering the picture to court Paul, the Clippers relented.

A three-team deal that would have sent Paul to the Lakers was rejected last week by the NBA, which is operating the Hornets until a buyer can be found to keep the team in New Orleans.

Sources had said in recent weeks that Paul was open to joining the Clippers long-term, and a source confirmed that he will likely pick up his player option worth $17.8 million for the 2012-13 season as a sign of his commitment.