Nuggets make significant move with Christian Braun

Earlier on Monday, Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto indicated there was cautious optimism between the two parties than an extension agreement would be worked out. The extension kicks in next season.

Christian Braun has emerged as a key starter for Denver Nuggets

After being an important member of the team’s bench unit during his first two years in Denver, Braun moved into the starting lineup last season following the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency. Braun, the 21st pick of the 2022 draft, posted career-high numbers across the board, averaging 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 79 games with .580/.397/.827 shooting splits.

Braun is the eighth player in his draft class to sign or agree to a rookie scale extension, joining Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Keegan Murray, Nikola Jovic and Shaedon Sharpe. The numbers that Braun and his agent Bill Duffy agreed to fall in the range of Smith’s agreement of five years and $122M.

With this agreement, Denver has now committed to four of its starters through at least the 2027-28 season, joining superstar Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray, though Jokic has a player option on his 2027-28 contract.