The Denver Nuggets didn’t flinch when it came to rewarding one of their rising stars. Hours before the rookie extension deadline, Denver locked in guard Christian Braun on a five-year, $125 million contract, cementing his role as a long-term starter alongside Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon.
It’s not just about money — it’s about message. The Nuggets made it clear: Braun isn’t just a complementary piece anymore. He’s part of the core.
A Seamless Transition and Breakout Year
Denver took a risk last season when it let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk and handed Braun the starting job. The move could’ve backfired given that he was a key piece on that 2023 championship team just a season prior. Instead, it became one of the franchise’s smartest decisions since drafting Jokic in 2014.
Braun responded by doubling his scoring average from 7.3 to 15.4 points per game, shooting a blistering 58.0% from the field and 39.7% from three — the most efficient jump among any Most Improved Player candidate. He also averaged 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals, leading the entire NBA in transition buckets while posting a 66.5 true shooting percentage — the highest by a guard averaging 15+ points since 2018 Stephen Curry.
Efficiency, energy, and consistency turned him into exactly what Denver needed after losing veteran depth. His connection with Jokic in the open floor has become a defining feature of the Nuggets’ pace-and-pass system. Braun doesn’t overcomplicate the game — he runs, defends, and finishes. And when Jokic is the one throwing outlet passes, that’s usually enough to break defenses.
A Deal That Balances Future and Flexibility
From a financial standpoint, the contract makes sense for both sides. Braun’s extension — roughly 13% of the projected salary cap — kicks in for the 2026–27 season and carries no team or player options. For Denver, that means a cost-controlled, ascending guard through 2031.
It’s also a rare win-win under the new CBA structure. Braun gets paid in line with players like Jabari Smith Jr., while Denver keeps its starting lineup intact without brushing the second tax apron. Entering next season, the Nuggets will owe roughly $193 million to six players, still sitting $8 million below the luxury tax and nearly $30 million below the second apron — a number ownership has historically avoided crossing.
The continuity around Jokic remains the priority. Four of Denver’s starters — Jokic, Murray, Gordon, and now Braun — are locked in for the next three seasons. Jokic, who holds a player option for 2028–29, has repeatedly stated he plans to “be a Nugget forever.”
A Winning Culture Personified
Braun’s rise feels inevitable when tracing his background. He’s been a winner everywhere he’s gone — from capturing an NCAA championship at Kansas to becoming a rotation piece on Denver’s 2023 NBA title run. His mindset hasn’t changed with money, either.
After signing his massive $125 million contract extension, Braun sent a message to the team via the Nuggets’ official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“What’s up, Nuggets nation? Christian Braun here. I’m really excited that we got the deal done. I’m excited and looking forward to playing winning basketball,” Braun said. “Obviously, this is the place I want to be. You know, I wouldn’t want to win anywhere else. So I’m excited to be a Nugget. Excited to get the season started. I’m excited to focus on winning. So let’s do it.”
That’s the kind of quote Denver loves — and the kind of player championship teams are built around.
The Nuggets didn’t just reward a breakout year. They secured the identity of their future while maximizing what’s left of their championship window with Nikola Jokic at the helm.
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