NBA's second apron isn't going to break up the Thunder, and here's why it might actually help OKC

The collective bargaining agreement may slow down the Thunder, but not in the way people are thinking

On Wednesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to a five-year extension with All-NBA forward Jalen Williams that could pay him up to $287 million. They had already re-signed Chet Holmgren on a similar five-year pact worth a potential $250 million, and league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tacked four years and $285 million onto his own contract earlier in July. All told, they committed up to $822 million in new money to their three best players. In doing so, they secured all three through at least the 2030-31 season. $0-5,685,000 $1 for every $1 above the line $3 for every $1 above the line $5,685,000-$11,370,000 $1.25 for every $1 above the line $3.25 for every $1 above the line $11,370,000-$17,055,000 $3.50 for every $1 above the line $5.50 for every $1 above the line $17,055,000-$22,740,000 $4.75 for every $1 above the line $6.75 for every $1 above the line $22,740,000-$28,425,000 $5.25 for every $1 above the line $7.25 for every $1 above the line

It's a terrifying proposition for the rest of the league. The Thunder are a 68-win defending champion that just posted the highest single-season point differential in league history. Their top three players are all between the ages of 23 and 26, and none of them are going anywhere. Few teams in history have ever been this well-positioned for sustained winning, even if we exist in an era designed to discourage sustained winning.