An important new aspect of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement will be the ability for teams to sign their own players to extensions.

Teams will be able to choose up to two Designated Veterans to sign to a long-term extension.

The ability for teams to sign their own players to extensions was compromised as part of the collective bargaining agreement that was put in place in 2011.

The initial beneficiaries of the new provision will likely be the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings who will be able to extend Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins, respectively, in the 2017 offseason. Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder could also agree upon a new extension.

Criteria for those designated players will be based on achievements, including appearances on All-NBA teams and Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year award winners.

Zach Lowe reports that Year 1 of the extension can be any amount up to 35 percent of cap even if the team has no cap room.