Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge confirmed last night that the team has agreed in principle to a sign-and-trade deal with New Orleans that would land point guard Dan Dickau in Boston with a three-year contract worth an average of $2.5 million per year.

Ainge said some details of the deal still must be negotiated, including what the Celtics will give to the Hornets. New Orleans will receive a trade exception in the process.

Dickau, who is 6 feet, 190 pounds, visited Boston yesterday for a physical and chatted with members of the Celtics staff.

''He had a really great day," said Dickau's agent, Mark Bartelstein.