The Denver Nuggets have made a significant move by agreeing to a five-year, $125 million rookie scale extension with guard Christian Braun, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. This extension, which does not include any team or player options, is set to take effect next season. The announcement follows earlier indications from Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, who noted that there was cautious optimism regarding the negotiation between the two parties.
Braun, who was selected as the 21st pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has established himself as a key player for the Nuggets. After contributing significantly as a member of the team’s bench unit during his first two seasons, he moved into the starting lineup last year following the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency. His performance improved markedly, as he averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over 79 games, with impressive shooting splits of .580/.397/.827.
Expansion of the Roster
With this new contract, Braun becomes the eighth player from his draft class to sign or agree to a rookie scale extension, joining the ranks of notable names like Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Keegan Murray, Nikola Jovic, and Shaedon Sharpe. The financial terms of Braun’s deal are comparable to Smith’s recent agreement, which was also a five-year contract valued at $122 million.
This extension is part of the Nuggets’ broader strategy to secure their core players. With Braun’s new deal, the team has now committed to four of its starting players through at least the 2027-28 season. This group includes superstar Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray. Notably, Jokic’s contract includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, adding an element of flexibility to the roster’s future.
As Braun continues to develop in his role, the Nuggets are positioning themselves strategically for sustained competitiveness in the NBA landscape. This extension reflects not only Braun’s growth but also the organization’s confidence in his potential to contribute significantly to the team’s success in the coming years.
