Curry, Russ, Harden, Kawhi officially eligible for super-max extensions

Thursday's announcement of this season's All-NBA Teams took care of some formalities for a few of the league's biggest stars. By virtue of being included on any of the three squads, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and Kawhi Leonard are all now officially eligible for designated veteran player extensions (DVPEs) with their current teams.

Curry is the only player in that group who's an unrestricted free agent this summer. He's widely expected to ink a record contract with the Golden State Warriors worth north of $210 million over five years.

Westbrook, Harden, and Wall are eligible to sign DVPEs this summer with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Washington Wizards, respectively. Leonard will be eligible to sign one with the San Antonio Spurs next summer.

DVPEs were introduced in the league's latest CBA and allow certain players to be paid the maximum possible - up to 35 percent of the salary cap, a level of compensation previously only available to players with at least 10 years of experience. The basic criteria for the extensions includes seven or eight years of NBA service with an All-NBA nod or league MVP award in the last three seasons. A player also cannot be traded during the life of his current contract. (Harden was dealt from the Thunder to the Rockets near the end of his entry-level deal, but the other four players have only suited up for one team in their careers.)

Players who missed out on DVPE eligibility this year include Paul George and Gordon Hayward, which could impact their decision-making in unrestricted free agency.