Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett appears to be headed to the Boston Celtics in a monumental NBA trade, multiple league sources said Monday afternoon.

One player's agent said Celtics players going to Minnesota for the 10-time All-Star have been notified that the deal is imminent.

Boston's talented young forward Al Jefferson and the expiring contract of veteran Theo Ratliff are the centerpieces of the trade that's been on and off for months between buddies Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge. The Celtics are also including Gerald Green and Sebastian Telfair.

The Celtics and Minnesota will also exchange future No. 1 picks, sources said.

One possible snag is the re-working of Garnett's contract, which includes a 15-percent trade kicker of $6.75 million this year. It is believed that Garnett is willing to play in Boston after rejecting a deal in May, but the Celtics still must come to terms with Garnett on a contract extension.

If the deal does go down, Boston is a legitimate Eastern Conference contender with Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. After years of insisting that his young talent would bring back veteran stars, Ainge delivered with Garnett. Without a contract extension, though, the 31-year-old Garnett could opt out of his deal next summer when he's scheduled to make $23 million.

The draft night deal that sent the No. 5 pick to Seattle for Ray Allen allowed the Celtics to keep their most important trading chips: the 22-year-old Jefferson and Ratliff, whose expiring deal helps Minnesota regain some salary cap flexibility.