Los Angeles  - Tyson Chandler will no longer be soaring toward the basket to convert Chris Paul's flashy alley oop passes into ferocious dunks.

The New Orleans Hornets shipped Chandler to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday in exchange for veteran forwards Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox and the draft rights to DeVon Hardin.

The deal comes with the NBA trade deadline looming on Thursday.

Chandler was a good inside fit for the Hornets, but with 24.6 million dollars left on his two-year contract, management chose to move him and create additional salary cap room for next season.

Despite nagging foot injuries, the versatile 7-foot-1 centre is averaging 8.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in 32 games this season.

"We are excited to add a young, defensive-minded big man that we feel can help us now and in the future," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. "We are excited to have him with us as we continue to build our organization."

Chandler will join a struggling but up-and-coming Thunder team that includes second-year stars Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, along with rookie sensation Russell Westbrook.

By picking up Smith and Wilcox, the Hornets were able to strengthen their bench and obtain two expiring contracts as the second half of the season gets underway.

"We were able to get great depth, leadership and experience by making this trade," Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said in a statement.

"We felt we needed to increase our overall play of the front line, and Chris Wilcox is a young, athletic player that can score and fit well in our system. We will be able to take advantage of his athleticism and style of play."

Smith will be joining his 10th team since being selected as the top overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1995 draft. He brings "much-needed depth," Bower said.

With Oklahoma City this season, the 6-foot-10 forward was averaging 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in 36 games.

Wilcox will be moving to his fourth team after being drafted eighth by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2002. He is averaging 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 37 games this season. (dpa)