What does the year-one rookie salary represent?

The year-one rookie salary specifically represents the total amount of compensation that a rookie player will receive during their first year in the league. This includes not only the salary that the player will earn but also any signing bonuses or other forms of bonuses that are allocated for that year.

In the context of a player's contract, understanding year-one salary is important for both the player and the team as it signifies the immediate financial commitment the team is making to the player. It reflects the contractual obligations right out of the gate, which can impact the team's salary cap management strategies.

The other options touch on different aspects of a contract, but they do not define the year-one rookie salary accurately. For example, while the player's total bonus earnings might contribute to the overall compensation in year one, they are only a portion of the total. The guaranteed amount of the entire contract considers future years and potential payout structures beyond the first year. Similarly, the salary cap hit pertains to how the team's budget will reflect the player's contract but does not specifically denote the player's compensation for the first year alone.