It’s getting worse and worse. Only one player in the 23rd class has the possibility of a maximum salary, and there may be no players in the 24th class with a maximum salary.

The NBA regular season has begun. Many young players have also received the big contracts they dream of during this offseason. However, among the players who are eligible for early renewal this year, only three players among the first-round players in 2022 have received maximum salary contracts, namely the Magic. Team player Banchero (the first pick in the first round in 2022), Thunder player Chet (the second pick in the first round in 2022), and Thunder player Jaylen Williams (the 12th pick in the first round in 2022). Among them, the maximum salary of Chet and Jaylen Williams is somewhat included in the championship bonus.

However, a recent media review of rookies in the past two years indicated that 2022 is already the next three years and may be the year in which the highest salary will be signed. Among the players in 2023, only one player is more likely to sign a maximum salary. Among the rookies in 2024, there may be no maximum salary player.

Among players with 23 years of experience, it is currently possible to sign a player with a super-maximum salary of nearly 300 million US dollars in 5 years. There is no doubt that the Spurs' top pick Lang Wenbanyama is a long man with a height of 2.24 meters and a wingspan of 2.45 meters, but has silky skills like a small forward. In the latest regular season MVP prediction list, Wenbanyama, who has only been in the league for two years, has been ranked fifth.

However, the only thing that may affect Bunyama's contract renewal may be his own health problems. Due to physical reasons, he only played 46 games for the team last year, averaging 24.7 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.8 blocks per game. It is not difficult to foresee that as long as Bunyama does not suffer injuries that will be devastating to his career, the Spurs will personally deliver this maximum salary contract to him.

In addition to Bunyama, there are two players who have the possibility of reaching the maximum salary. The first is Brandon Miller, the second overall pick of the Hornets. When he entered the league, Miller was called a taller version of Paul George. Now two years later, Miller has indeed shown better offensive talent than George when he was a rookie, especially in terms of outside shooting, which has become Miller's trump card.

Miller had averaged 21 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game with the Hornets last season. However, he was eventually reimbursed for the season due to injuries and only played 27 games for the team. After the end of this season, Miller wants to get a maximum salary contract. Perhaps the following three points will become obstacles.

First of all, there is sufficient data support, which will be the basis for Miller to hit the maximum salary. Secondly, he needs to stay healthy and play at least 60 games in a season. The last point is the team's record. If the Hornets are still at the bottom of the Eastern Conference like the previous two seasons, I believe the management will also consider whether Miller has enough ability to lead the team.

In addition to Miller, Amen Thompson, the fourth overall pick in the first round of 2023, also has the possibility of reaching the maximum salary. If he wants to get the maximum salary, he only needs to prove to everyone his growth in shooting. If the three-point shooting rate can be increased to more than 36% this season, then his possibility of getting the maximum salary extension will be greatly increased. However, judging from the performance of 0-for-7 shooting in the first game, it is really difficult for Amen to get the maximum salary.

Although in 2023, only Bunyama was the leader, compared to the 2024 rookie, the situation has been much better. Now the 24-year rookie has only played one season in the league, but the media has already stated conclusively that there will be no top-paid players among the 24-year players.

It’s no wonder that the media commented this way. Lisa Shepard, the No. 1 pick in 2024, is currently only No. 4 or 5 in the Hawks, ranking behind Trae Young, Jaylen Johnson, and Daniels. The No. 2 pick, Sarr, is even more of a rough player. It is difficult to even have a chance to play in a strong team. Sheppard, the No. 1 overall pick, is currently struggling on the edge of the rotation in the Rockets.

Although Castle, the No. 4 pick who performed best, performed well in the second half of last season, his talent is still slightly inferior to that of Harper, who was ranked second this year. At the same time, their positions overlap, and the Spurs traded to the team's backcourt core Fox last year. It is difficult for the team management to give Castle an overly generous contract.

As for the other rookies in 2024, no matter in terms of talent or ability, there is no possibility of any top-paid players. Therefore, the rookies in 2024 may create the worst early contract renewal record in the history of the league. And the teams that received the high draft picks this year can only silently lament their bad luck!