The three Sports Illustrated cover boys and Team USA captains have received the most attention as the most popular NBA season-opening story line.

The expected transfer of power to LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade has been described, in one way or another, on nearly every network and in nearly every publication that chronicles the league. The banner headline or graphic refers to them as the grand Class of 2003, but it perhaps doesn’t share enough credit.

Experts believe the ’03 draft class is setting up to be one of the finest in NBA history. It’s not just because of the cream of the crop or the statistics, but the sheer volume of cash their teams are tossing their way to keep them. The evidence came in the past month, as a flurry of them were locked up to large long-term contracts as soon as possible.

October 31st was the deadline to extend the rookie contracts of the draft class of ’03. Historically, there are only a handful or so that get extensions before their fourth season and the expiration of their rookie-scale contracts.

By the deadline this year, no fewer than 15 of them had signed new contracts, and many set a new curve. Overall, eight of the top nine picks signed new deals, and six of them were worth $43 million or more. By comparison, the ’01 and ’02 draft classes only had a combined 13 players that signed early extensions, and overall they were for much less money.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lebrn James drives for the basket against the San Antonio Spurs. James is part of the bumper 2003 draft crop that's not only having its share of success on the basketball court, but in the checkbook as well.

Taking it a step further, the ’03 second round was equally impressive. Most second-round picks get only one- or two-year contracts, and the majority don’t last much longer. Ten players taken in the second round in June ’03 already have signed new multiyear deals with various teams, only further illustrating the depth of that summer’s class.

In July, four players signed for maximum money. Those were James, Anthony, Wade and Chris Bosh. In the following months, numerous others also were rewarded.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Kaman and the Dallas Mavericks’ Josh Howard, the last pick of the first round in 2003, both got $10 million per year deals. The Chicago Bulls’ Kirk Hinrich, the New Orleans Hornets’ David West and the Phoenix Suns’ Boris Diaw both got contracts averaging more than $8 million per season.

The only top pick not to get a new deal was No. 2 overall selection Darko Milicic. The youngest player in the class – the Serbian was just 17 when he was taken by the Detroit Pistons on draft night – is just now coming into his own with the Orlando Magic. The only reason he didn’t sign was because it is still unclear just how much he’s worth because of his potential.

Once he hits the market as a restricted free agent next summer, his deal likely will be on par with his classmates and the haul will continue.