Post by CC06 on May 1, 2024 23:13:22 GMT -5
Some players are worth even more than a max, and they're going to get a chance to earn it via the Designated Player rule, also commonly referred to as the "super-max".
Certain players can receive contracts or extensions that are more favorable (in years and/or salary) than they ordinarily could receive. This applies to players who are finishing their rookie scale contracts (and other players with four years of experience), who can receive a starting salary up to 30% of the cap (which is normally reserved for players with 7-9 years of service). It also applies to players who are finishing their rookie scale extensions (and other players with eight or nine years of experience), who can receive a starting salary up to 35% of the cap (which is normally reserved for players with at least 10 years of service).
In order to qualify for the higher maximum salary, players must meet certain performance criteria. At least one of the following must be true:
1) The player was named to the All-League First, Second or Third team in the most recent season, or both of the two seasons that preceded the most recent season
2) The player was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the most recent season, or both of the two seasons that preceded the most recent season
3) The player was named the Most Valuable Player in any of the three most recent seasons
This can be offered in either the form of an extension or a new contract as a free agent, but it can only be offered by the player's current team -- this is a massive "leg up" in terms of player retention. The player can't be traded for a full league year after it is signed.
If you are offering an extension to a player coming off a rookie scale contract, the Designated Rookie Extension can be offered even if the player hasn't qualified yet. In this case, if the player meets the criteria for the Designated Rookie Extension in his final year of his rookie scale contract, his cap number will then be bumped up accordingly. If he doesn't meet the criteria, he will remain at the normal (25% of cap) maximum contract. In all other cases, the player must've already qualified to be offered the contract/extension.
Please note that a player is only eligible for the Designated Veteran Extension or Designated Veteran Contract if he has remained with the same team for the entirety of his current contract.
In summary, the kinds of contracts and extensions that can be signed using the Designated Player rule and the 5th Year, 30% Max Criteria are as follows:
Certain players can receive contracts or extensions that are more favorable (in years and/or salary) than they ordinarily could receive. This applies to players who are finishing their rookie scale contracts (and other players with four years of experience), who can receive a starting salary up to 30% of the cap (which is normally reserved for players with 7-9 years of service). It also applies to players who are finishing their rookie scale extensions (and other players with eight or nine years of experience), who can receive a starting salary up to 35% of the cap (which is normally reserved for players with at least 10 years of service).
In order to qualify for the higher maximum salary, players must meet certain performance criteria. At least one of the following must be true:
1) The player was named to the All-League First, Second or Third team in the most recent season, or both of the two seasons that preceded the most recent season
2) The player was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the most recent season, or both of the two seasons that preceded the most recent season
3) The player was named the Most Valuable Player in any of the three most recent seasons
This can be offered in either the form of an extension or a new contract as a free agent, but it can only be offered by the player's current team -- this is a massive "leg up" in terms of player retention. The player can't be traded for a full league year after it is signed.
If you are offering an extension to a player coming off a rookie scale contract, the Designated Rookie Extension can be offered even if the player hasn't qualified yet. In this case, if the player meets the criteria for the Designated Rookie Extension in his final year of his rookie scale contract, his cap number will then be bumped up accordingly. If he doesn't meet the criteria, he will remain at the normal (25% of cap) maximum contract. In all other cases, the player must've already qualified to be offered the contract/extension.
Please note that a player is only eligible for the Designated Veteran Extension or Designated Veteran Contract if he has remained with the same team for the entirety of his current contract.
In summary, the kinds of contracts and extensions that can be signed using the Designated Player rule and the 5th Year, 30% Max Criteria are as follows:
| Type | Qualifications | Maximum Salary | Maximum Years |
| Designated Rookie Extension | Entering fourth season of rookie scale contract | 30% of cap | 6 (including remaining year on current contract) |
| Free Agent Contract after Rookie Scale Contract | Finished rookie scale contract or 2nd round pick or undrafted player with 4 years of service; meets criteria above | 30% of cap | 5 |
| Designated Veteran Extension | 7 or 8 years of service when extension signed; 1 or 2 years remaining on contract; with same team continuously (unless traded during first four years in the league); meets criteria above | 35% of cap | 6 (including remaining years on current contract) |
| Designated Veteran Contract | 8 or 9 years of service; with same team continuously (unless traded during first four years in the league); meets criteria above | 35% of cap | 5 |