When Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract extension on Saturday, it made him the fourth-highest paid player on the roster. With a skyrocketing cap, role players inked deals this summer that will pay them more than pacts inked by All-Star-caliber players in recent seasons.

That's left some wondering if there will be any lingering resentment in NBA locker rooms because of salary disparity. Zeller, who logged 25 DNPs last season, is scheduled to earn more than the likes of All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas ($6.6 million) and starting forward Jae Crowder ($6.3 million).

For their part, both Thomas and Crowder have stressed recently that they are not angry with players cashing in on a lucrative market, and eagerly await their chance at a big payday.

"Everybody go get all you can get, I guess. It's out there for everybody. Now we don't have to go and play baseball, we can go get those type of deals in basketball," Thomas said this month while visiting the Celtics at summer league. "I mean, it's unbelievable to see even certain guys get what they get, but at the end of the day, if it's out there, go get it."

Added Crowder: "It’s an exciting time to be an NBA player. That’s all I can say. I think all the older guys I talk to, my OGs -- Elton Brand and Vince Carter -- they were like, 'Five more years could have been ideal.' It’s a great time to be in basketball."

How might bloated contracts for role players impact NBA locker rooms? Thomas said that remains to be seen, but believes increased salaries might leave those role players yearning for roles that match the price tag.

"Hopefully it doesn't mess up any locker rooms, hopefully it doesn't mess up ours, but it can," said Thomas. "Definitely if you get paid that much, you feel like you should have a bigger role than whatever that role is. But hopefully for the betterment of the team and the guys we have around the locker room, I don't think it's going to happen."

Crowder, who signed a five-year, $35 million deal last summer, is already eyeing the possibility of renegotiating his deal in the summer of 2018 (deals longer than four years can be renegotiated after the third anniversary of the signing if a team is under the salary cap). For now, he's fine with others cashing in.

"I make $7 million per year," said Crowder. "I’m not going to be mad at a guy making $10 million. We’re still millionaires. I got another contract coming up soon. Four [more years on a five-year deal], I get to redo it -- three, actually [if they explore extensions]. I’m not worried. Money -- why I am mad? I make millions of dollars. That would be selfish of me. Why would I be mad about that?"

Thomas signed a four-year, $27 million contract in July 2014, making him eligible to renegotiate after this summer (the same time that Avery Bradley will reach the third anniversary of his four-year, $32 million deal).

"They better bring out the Brinks truck," joked Thomas in the aftermath of the Celtics signing Al Horford to a four-year, $113 million contract. "They’re paying everybody else, I’ve got to get something. I’m trying not to worry about it, but it’s out there. And I’m going to just continue to be myself and play. And hopefully that takes care of everything else."

When considering Zeller's contract, it's also worth remembering that, by agreeing to a nonguaranteed second season, Zeller is avoiding a no-trade clause that would have triggered if he signed a one-year deal, and providing the Celtics with a valuable asset that could aid them in maintaining salary-cap flexibility or utilize Zeller in a trade. Given that Zeller was also diligent about staying ready last season despite a diminished role in an overcrowded frontcourt, he is being rewarded, in part, for the sacrifices he's made to help the team last season and into the future.