What must a player meet to have the max salary in the first year of their extension?

To qualify for the maximum salary in the first year of their extension, a player must meet the 5th year max criteria. This relates to the player's years of service and performance achievements that allow for an increase in their maximum salary cap figure. The NBA's salary cap structure rewards players who have either fulfilled certain years in the league or have significant accolades, which fall into the category of performance-based extensions.

In many cases, this means that if a player is extending their contract after their fourth year in the league (and has met the necessary relationship with their team), they can be eligible for a larger salary based on this maximum criteria. Factors such as being a first-round draft pick, signing with a new team, or being named an All-Star may influence a player's earning potential, but they do not directly determine the max salary in the context of the extension dynamics defined in the collective bargaining agreement. Therefore, understanding how the 5th year max criteria works is essential for grasping the salary cap calculations and respective player negotiations.