"Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook is now under contract through the 2016-17 season and will be surrounded by familiar faces for several seasons.

Two-time scoring champ Kevin Durant is signed through 2015-16, Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison are signed through 2014-15 and Thabo Sefolosha through 2013-14.

Next on the agenda are rookie contract extensions for James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Eric Mayor, who are signed through 2012-13, as is Daequan Cook.

Rarely has an NBA team been able to re-sign its top nine players for an extended period of time. For OKC to be in position to do so is somewhat unfathomable.

However, quietly the clock ticks even faster on another key "core" component of the franchise's continuing success."