MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves are negotiating an extension to the largest contract in NBA history, the $126 million deal he signed in 1997.

	Garnett

"Talks have been going on for a while now,'' Garnett said before a shootaround Friday. "I think at this point, we're trying to find out what's best for both sides.''

Owner Glen Taylor, speaking before the Timberwolves' exhibition game against Indiana Friday night, sounded more optimistic.

"I'm only speaking for myself, but I'm at a stage where I see that an agreement can be reached,'' Taylor said. "My sense is that it'll be Monday or Tuesday if we're going to get anything.''

The All-Star forward has two seasons left on the contract that pays an average of $21 million a year. He is eligible for an extension worth up to $139 million over four years.

Asked if the sides were close to a deal, Garnett said: "I'd rather not say. I think we're at a crossroads right now where we're trying to figure out the issues, we have a lot more issues than just Kevin Garnett right now.''

Taylor and vice president Kevin McHale met with Garnett's agent, Andy Miller, in Minneapolis on Thursday and Friday. The meeting was first reported by the Star Tribune.

Taylor said he was in no hurry to get the deal done.

"If we do it this year, if we do it next year, we can get it done,'' Taylor said. "The only issue is if you start to work on it, you'd just as soon finish it.

"Andy came to town. We didn't invite him. Why I'm a little bit positive is that from what he shared with us, they are interested in getting it done because Kevin's interested in staying here in the long run. And they'd like to get it behind him.''

Garnett's contract takes most of the team's space under the salary cap. A contract extension for All-Star teammate Wally Szczerbiak is also looming, and the future of point guard Terrell Brandon, who has $33.3 million left on his contract, is uncertain.

"At this point I've been focusing on basketball,'' Garnett said. "Obviously, this is my corporate season, this is my breadwinner. For the majority, I can honestly say I've been focusing on training camp and the new team and the new guys.

"Obviously, you have to deal with it at some time.''

He averaged 21.2 points and career highs of 12.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists last season, his seventh in the league, all with Minnesota. Garnett's career averages are 18.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists.