The Nuggets have a big decision coming up on Christian Braun, but there really shouldn’t be much to think about on their end. They must do what it takes to get an extension done and make sure the pivotal young starter stays in Denver for the rest of the Nikola Jokic era.
Braun has been everything a team could want after drafting him late in the first round in 2022. He has steadily improved, going from a deep bench player to a sixth man to a starter this past season. He fit perfectly into the starting lineup, giving the team a young, athletic punch, fueling their perimeter defense and transition game.
He’s no superstar, but he’s a perfect glue guy for this starting lineup, and the Nuggets would be crazy to let him go. Braun will be eligible for a rookie extension in October, and it’s in his and the team’s best interest to get a deal done and avoid restricted free agency in the summer.
Nuggets must pay what it takes to extend Christian Braun
Some projections have had Braun’s potential average annual value as high as $30 million a year, comparing his deal to the one that Jalen Suggs got, but recent predictions have been less ambitious.
On a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show, Lowe and his guest, Fred Katz of The Athletic, stated that based on talks with people around the league, the Braun extension could come in as a four-year deal for anywhere from $90-$110 million. That means the number would land somewhere in the low-mid 20s per year, a number that feels fair.
It may seem like a lot for a non-star player, but two-way role players have become massively important, and with the ever-rising salary cap, $20 million isn’t what it used to be. This is roughly the going rate, possibly even a bit of a discount for a guy who’s still just 24 years old and nearly won the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award last season.
Braun should understand his market and should be motivated to get a long-term deal done to stay with the team where his career has taken off. He’ll be financially secure for life and will put himself in a position to play alongside one of the greatest players of all time and compete for championships for the next five seasons.
The only reason this wouldn’t get done is if the Nuggets and their owners get cheap and decide to lowball Braun. While they don’t want to hand him a blank check, they don’t want to disrespect the player and complicate what should be fairly straightforward negotiations.
The Nuggets need to act swiftly and show that they are serious about spending the necessary money to put the best roster on the floor and ensure that Jokic has the best possible chance to compete for titles for as long as he’s in Denver.