May 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game six of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

NBA Insider Predicts Key Nuggets Starter to Receive $30 Million Yearly

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI | By Grant Mona | Last updated May 19, 2025 12:16 PM ET

Christian Braun was pivotal in the Nuggets' run to the Conference Semifinals this year and was also key in getting them to the fourth seed in the Western Conference in the regular season.

In the 79 games he played, Braun averaged 15.4 points per game on 58% from the field and 39.7% from three, which is extremely valuable to any contending team. While filling the shoes of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jeff Green, and Bruce Brown, Braun rose to the occasion.

The silver lining in the Nuggets end to the season

Christian Braun stepped up seamlessly for KCP and became a quality starter. Delivers in big games and fits well off Jokic. Gonna get rewarded this offseason https://t.co/dnz36y3rNb
— John Tortorelli (@john_tortorelli) May 19, 2025

As Denver heads into the offseason, plenty of questions swirl regarding the team's future. Can they keep their championship core together? Is it time to move on from a core piece of the team, regardless of the result?

These are questions that the new front office, without Calvin Booth, has to answer. Now, ESPN's Bobby Marks is reporting that Christian Braun could be seeking a very hefty extension once eligible.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks expects Christian Braun’s extension to be worth over $30 million per year

(h/t @Ralph_MasonJr )

pic.twitter.com/fqDGcSDr11
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 19, 2025

"He should get paid. What does getting paid mean? Jalen Suggs was 5 [years] for $150 [million], I think it would be higher than that based on where the cap is going," Marks said in his Denver Nuggets season recap video.

Braun had a career-high in minutes and "was the only player next to Dyson Daniels to increase his scoring average by more than 8 points in the last two years," according to Bobby Marks.