The Minnesota Timberwolves and Karl-Anthony Towns are in the early stages of discussions on a max contract extension.

There is optimism throughout the organization that the two sides will eventually reach agreement.

Towns recently returned to the United States after a vacation in Italy and there's hope talks will advance more quickly. 

Towns wasn’t ready to address the situation in an interview with The Athletic from Italy last week.

Towns could agree upon a five-year, $158 million extension that increases to $190 million if he makes an All-NBA team again next season.

Jimmy Butler could become a free agent next summer and would be eligible to sign a five-year, $180 million contract with the Wolves.