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Nets could pay $A700M to extend star trio

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Kevin Durant is eligible to claim his four-year deal worth $A269 million with the Brooklyn Nets.
Camera IconKevin Durant is eligible to claim his four-year deal worth $A269 million with the Brooklyn Nets. Credit: AP

Star Brooklyn Nets trio Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are eligible for massive NBA contract extensions this month worth more than $538 million ($A726m).

Durant, 32, is eligible for a four-year deal worth $197.7 million ($A269m) while Irving can cash in for $181.6 million ($A247m) over four years or hold off until next summer, when the max extension value under the collective bargaining agreement would be five-years, $235 million ($A319m).

General manager Sean Marks said the Nets are working through the process of making roster decisions.

"It's probably too early to begin discussing what their futures are ... obviously we're committed to them," Marks said last month.

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"They play a big role in how we're going to continue to build this, how we're going to drive our culture and the identity of our team.

"What you see out there is - when they're healthy - that's a very, very elite unit."

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Durant turns 33 before the start of the season, making him ineligible for the five-year extension based on the NBA's "over-38" rule.

Harden can sign a three-year extension worth $161.1 million ($A218m).

Durant said he expects all three to make "the right decision" on their contracts.

"Keep growing individually. That's the most important thing: how we're growing individually," Durant said.

"Definitely how we come together as a team. I enjoy seeing my teammates get better; I enjoy getting better and have an environment that encourages that every single day."

If the Nets sign their three All-Stars to extensions, filling out the roster becomes challenging without paying record levels of luxury tax penalties.

Nine players on the season-ending roster, including Spencer Dinwiddie, Blake Griffin and Jeff Green, were free agents.

However, Griffin's agent told ESPN late Monday night that his client agreed to a one-year deal to remain in Brooklyn.

The Nets aren't the only team to splash the cash with a number of players to sign long-term deals to stay put with their NBA franchise while others are reported to be on the move, although contracts can not be made official until Friday under NBA rules.

The agent of Atlanta Hawks Trae Young confirmed the guard has agreed to a maximum extension on his rookie contract - five years for $207m ($A280m).

The evergreen Chris Paul appears set to stay with the Phoenix Suns on a four-year deal that could be worth up to $120m ($A162m).

Some key trades include Kyle Lowry leaving the Toronto Raptors for the Miami Heat, who have also reportedly re-signed Jimmy Butler to a four-year extension worth $172m ($A323m), and Duncan Robinson for $90m ($A122m) in the largest contract ever signed by an undrafted player, while acquiring P.J. Tucker from NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks.

The New Orleans Pelicans are sending Lonzo Ball to the Chicago Bulls while acquiring Devonte Graham from the Charlotte Hornets as part of separate sign-and-trade agreements, two people with knowledge of the situation said.

Meanwhile, the overhaul of the Los Angeles Lakers will reportedly turn up a few old friends with centre Dwight Howard and swingman Trevor Ariza agreeing terms while shooting guard Wayne Ellington is a new face from the Detroit Pistons.

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