Chris Paul a Rocket

The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade All-Star point guard Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets for Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams and a top-three protected 2018 firstround draft pick, a person with knowledge of the agreement told USA Today.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity, because the agreement had not been made public.

The Clippers made the deal after Paul opted-in to the final season of his contract. The veteran point guard would’ve been one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. Instead he’ll join the Rockets, who fell to the San Antonio Spurs in six games during the second round of this year’s playoffs.

Paul played for the Clippers for the past six seasons, where he failed to lead the team past the second round. He now joins NBA MVP runner-up James Harden in Houston’s high-powered, three-point friendly offence.

The Rockets led the entire NBA with 1,181 made three-pointers this regular season, 114 more than second-place Cleveland. Paul’s ability to facilitate the offence — after Harden adapted so seamlessly in his transition to point guard last season — will allow Harden and the rest of the Rockets’ threepoint shooters potentially even more open looks.

Paul, a nine-time All-Star, turned 32 in May.