The Brooklyn Nets are positioning themselves to become perennial championship contenders. Kevin Durant has already inked a contract extension to stay with the team for several more years, and Brooklyn’s other two superstars could do the same shortly.

Nets general manager Sean Marks told reporters Wednesday that the team is having conversations with James Harden and Kyrie Irving about signing extensions. Marks said he feels "very confident" that Harden and Irving will have new deals by the start of training camp for the 2021-22 NBA season.

Durant agreed to a four-year, $198 million extension a few days ago. The two-time NBA Finals MVP is now signed through the 2025-26 season.

Harden and Irving are currently eligible to hit free agency next summer. If Harden picks up his player option for the 2022-2023 season, he can sign a three-year extension worth $161 million, according to ESPN. Irving can ink a four-year, $186.6 million extension that would put him on the same timeline as his superstar teammates.

Brooklyn appeared to be well on its way to the 2021 NBA Finals before injuries derailed its playoff run. As Irving and Harden missed seven combined games in the conference semifinals, the Nets pushed the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks to overtime in a deciding Game 7.

Durant averaged 35.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game against Milwaukee. Durant outplayed Giannis Antetokounmpo, prompting Milwaukee’s star to call Durant the "best player in the world."

If Durant, Harden and Irving stay with Brooklyn until 2026, it means Brooklyn has kept its core together longer than any modern super-team.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were all Miami Heat teammates for four seasons. James’ second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers lasted four years before he went to the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant spent three seasons on the Golden State Warriors alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

The Nets are the clear favorites to win the 2022 NBA Finals.

Blake Griffin and Bruce Brown both chose to re-sign with the Nets instead of heading elsewhere. Brooklyn added backup point guard Patty Mills in free agency.

Durant and Irving signed with the Nets as free agents in the summer of 2019. Durant missed the entire 2019-2020 season as he recovered from a torn Achilles. Brooklyn traded for Harden in January.

The three superstars have played a combined 146 regular-season games with the Nets.

Kevin Durant James Harden Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant #7 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets react during the second half against the LA Clippers at Barclays Center on Feb. 2, 2021, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
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