Sources this morning are confirming that the Celtics’ deal for Kevin Garnett is essentially completed.

One involved source said the final package will have the Celts sending Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and a No. 1 pick to Minnesota to acquire Garnett.

Further word is that the Celts and Garnett have reached an agreement in principle on a contract extension. You may recall a report here that Danny Ainge would not do the deal without such a guarantee of Garnett’s presence, and it appears now that the perennial All-Star is willing to forego the opt-out in his current deal for next summer and cast his lot with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the Celtics.

The Celtics and the Timberwolves could reach agreement on a deal that would bring Kevin Garnett to Boston as early as this afternoon, according to league sources. Executive director of basketball operations/GM Danny Ainge would send Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff and Sebastian Telfair to Minnesota in exchange for Garnett. But as of this morning, there still remained issues on the table to negotiate, not least of which is the player option worth $24 million that Garnett holds for the 2008-09 season.

When trade talks between Minnesota and Boston took place before this year’s draft, the option plus Garnett’s hesitancy to play in Boston, as relayed through his agent Andy Miller, were considerable sticking points. The Celtics did not want to part with Jefferson and his long-term potential if Garnett would stay in Boston for just one season. If Garnett agrees to take his player option as a condition of the trade, the Celtics also will likely look to come to reasonable terms on an extension as another condition of the deal.

“There are serious discussions in place,” said Miller this morning.

When asked about the option as well as Garnett’s willingness to play in Boston, Miller added: “Part of the discussion that is taking place is addressing those issues as well as others to see if the destination makes sense for all parties. Everything is part of the overall picture as to how to bring this to a conclusion or go in a different direction.”

"I can confirm we're talking, sure," Ainge told the Pioneer Press. "We're in discussions about K.G."

Ainge declined to discuss details of the talks, including which Celtics players might be involved in a trade for Garnett or how close the Celtics and Wolves might be to completing a deal. But the teams were reportedly close to a deal last month that would have included young forward Al Jefferson, and Celtics veteran Theo Ratliff has a salary-cap friendly contract that could be included.
"I'm sure we're one of a few teams that are in discussions with the Timberwolves," Ainge said.