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3 takeaways as Denver Nuggets’ Summer League comes to an end

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 14: Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets poses during the 2022 NBA Rookie Portraits at UNLV on July 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 14: Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets poses during the 2022 NBA Rookie Portraits at UNLV on July 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: Christian Braun reacts after being drafted 21st overall by the Denver Nuggets during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: Christian Braun reacts after being drafted 21st overall by the Denver Nuggets during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2. Christian Braun might be exactly what the doctor ordered

I’ll be completely honest, when the Denver Nuggets selected Christian Braun with the 21st pick in the draft, I was slightly confused. Sure, he’s a fiery and versatile wing with a sound defensive game but I still felt like it was a bit of a reach that early in the draft.

Obviously, I was wrong.

Over the four games he competed in, Braun showed all of the skills that led to him being selected so early on in the draft; strong defense, smart off-ball scoring and a deadly transition game. Which is why he led the team in scoring (11.8), assists (4.8), steals (2.3) and minutes per game (28.7).

All of which was evident in his first game against the Timberwolves, in which he finished with 19 points on 8-17 shooting to go along with six rebounds, three assists and a steal. Now, to be fair, he did go 1-7 from deep in that game and struggled shooting the ball in every game that followed. Connecting on a horrible 12.5 percent of his shots from beyond the arc over the last four games, which could certainly be problematic in the modern NBA.

That being said, almost every single rookie in the association needs time to develop and become acclimated with the speed of the NBA, so, we should take everything with a grain of salt. Keep in mind that Jamal Murray missed his first 17 shots as a member of the Nuggets back in 2016.

Furthermore, while it looks like it might take some time for Braun to evolve into an efficient shooter at the NBA level, he’s already shown that he can guard the perimeter and get out in transition effectively. Which are two important traits Michael Malone will look for next season.

Shooting is obviously an important attribute for any NBA player, but the Denver Nuggets came into the 2022 NBA offseason with a lot of holes on defense specifically. So, Braun could be exactly what the doctor ordered in a player that is sound and fiery on defense but still smart and athletic enough to create off-ball chances on offense.

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