Nuggets Rising Star Deserving of Offseason Extension

Consider calling it a breakout season for Denver Nuggets star Christian Braun, who is in line for an extension this offseason. The three-year shooting guard not only put together an excellent regular season but also showed up repeatedly for the Nuggets throughout the postseason. Unfortunately, Denver will play no more after being knocked out in seven games by the Oklahoma City Thunder. That said, the season’s end doesn’t diminish all of Braun’s growth and improvement since the 2024-25 season kicked off. With the offseason underway and decisions in Denver to be made, Braun’s future is undoubtedly among them.

Nuggets Rising Star Deserving of Offseason Extension

Denver Nuggets have important future decision on Christian Braun; extension in play for the rising star

Braun has improved each season since entering the NBA with the Nuggets. He finished this past season, averaging double-digits for the first time after averaging single digits in his first two seasons. His numbers across the board improved significantly since last season, most notably in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. The points per game jumped from 7.3 to 15.4, rebounds from 3.7 to 5.2, assists from 1.6 to 2.6, and steals from 0.5 to 1.1. While Braun’s offensive game turned up quite a notch this season, his defensive growth really impressed.

Braun has done everything Denver has asked, and it’s shown in the trust handed down by Michael Malone and now David Adleman. Braun’s minutes shot up from just over 20 last season to 33 this season. Suffice it to say that Braun took every advantage of those minutes and earned himself a starting role in the lineup and big minutes in the playoffs. As a restricted free agent to be in 2026, Braun is due for an extension. Denver will likely decide on that this summer.

Braun’s improved third season warrants future extension

This offseason will surely include changes in Denver. It already kicked off early with the firing of Malone and Adleman stepping in, who is likely to move forward as the Nuggets’ head coach. There could be some player movement outside of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. Braun fits in beside the two stars incredibly well, which is part of why ESPN’s Bobby Marks is confident that Denver will extend Braun handsomely.

“Extension candidate to watch: Christian Braun, surely. He has helped himself, you can check the boxes off, he should get paid. What is getting paid mean? Jalen Suggs was five for $150 million,” Marks said. “I would think he would be higher than that, based on where the cap is going. … Christian Braun will get paid, he’s a terrific player, he fits what you’re trying to do. I think the number is at least $30 million per year.

 

Braun has only excelled in the role he stepped into at the beginning of the season, and if there is one player Denver should lock up as soon as possible, it’s him. With Jokić as the centrepiece and Murray a solidified No.2, Braun perfectly fills in a portion of Denver’s supporting cast. If the Nuggets front office knows what they’re doing, Braun’s extension should be a no-brainer.

 

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