When the Oklahoma City Thunder’s young yet deep team, including players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, ran the Denver Nuggets off the court in their 2025 playoff exit, the weaknesses in the 2023 champions were more evident than ever.

Nikola Jokic gave it his all, averaging 26.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 8.0 assists. He also dropped 40 points twice against the Thunder, who were regarded as the best defense that season.

Can the Nuggets’ Young Guns Keep the Title Dream Alive?

Denver’s bench managed to average just 21 points, exposing a depth crisis. The Thunder’s athleticism overwhelmed a tired core, with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon gassed, and the second unit outmatched.

Yet, amid the collapse, raw sparks emerged. Christian Braun played with relentless defense and hustle. Peyton Watson was showing off his highlight blocks, and Julian Strawther’s brief scoring bursts hinted at untapped potential.

The Nuggets hold only four 1st round draft picks in the next six years, only one 2nd round pick in 2032, and a cap squeezed tighter than ever.

Denver’s young guns, Braun, Watson, Strawther, and a few others, are Denver’s hope to extend Jokic’s championship window. As training camp opens in October 2025, can they polish their raw edges into stardom?

Christian Braun is The New Core Piece

Christian Braun’s journey from 2023 championship sparkplug to starting wing is the kind of story Nuggets fans cling to. Last season, the 24-year-old stepped into Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s shoes, averaging 15 points on 48% shooting while hounding opposing guards with tenacious defense.

Braun probed his presence in Game 7 of the first round of the Nuggets in 2025. Throughout the series, Braun was tasked with guarding James Harden.

“Closely covered by Braun all night, Harden was just 2-of-8 from the floor and scored seven points in the Clippers’ season-ending 120-101 loss to the Nuggets on Saturday in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series,” said sports writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton.

Christian Braun’s stats:

Year 2 Year 3
7.3 PPG 15
3.7 REB 5.1
1.6 AST 2.2
0.5 STL 1.1
46.0 FG% 57.8
69.4 FT% 82.8

Let’s talk about his case for Most Improved Player pic.twitter.com/QVH8wXnCuB

— Scoot Vs (@scoot_vs) February 13, 2025

 

Braun’s teammate, Russel Westbrook, praised his efforts.

“James is a tough cover,” said Westbrook, who was teammates with Harden last season.

“Christian did a good job trying to make the game difficult on him. I thought he did an excellent job, and he has been doing that all year.”

Now, Braun is at a crossroads. His rookie contract nears its end, with a four-year, $94 million extension (~$23.5 million annually) on the table before the October 21, 2025, deadline.

When thinking about Jalen Suggs, who just inked $150 million with Orlando, Braun’s two-way play could command similar respect. His ability to guard multiple positions and hit open threes (39.7% last season) makes him a perfect fit next to Jokic and Murray.

But with Denver flirting with the second apron (only $1.1 million below the cutoff), locking in Braun could limit roster flexibility. The question isn’t whether Braun’s worth it— it’s whether he can take another leap, handling bigger offensive loads without losing his defensive edge. The nuggets rely on Braun to be the primary defender for other teams’ star players.

Additionally, Braun will need to improve his offense in the playoffs. Braun averaged just 29.6% on threes in the playoffs. In addition, his PPG dipped to 12.6 pts in the 2025 playoffs. If he does, he could be Jokic’s right-hand man for a long time to come. 

The Defensive Freak with Star Potential

Peyton Watson is the Nuggets’ wild card. The 24-year-old wing broke out in 2024-25, averaging 8.1 points and 1.4 blocks while shooting 44% from the field. His 6’8” frame and 7’0” wingspan disrupted passing lanes, racking up 2.1 combined steals and blocks per game in just 24 minutes of play.

Watson’s play has created a lot of buzz around the Nuggets and the league. Kevin Durant praised the young Nuggets forward.

“I love that he’s [Watson] carving out a lane for himself, because in college, he didn’t get a lot of minutes. He didn’t play a lot. He was drafted purely based on talent, potential, and his athleticism. He’s somebody I’ve really got paramount respect for. I really want to see him do well.”

Watson’s also extension-eligible, though his deal might come cheaper than Braun’s, given his lesser offensive role. His athleticism and defensive instincts scream stardom, but his 29% three-point shooting is a glaring hole. If Watson develops a reliable jumper—say, hitting 35% from deep— he could be a two-way force, easing the burden on Jokic’s playmaking and Murray’s streaky scoring.

Additionally, if he can improve his shot creation, he would become even more of an asset to the offense. Training camp will be crucial: can Watson prove he’s more than a highlight-reel defender? A breakout season could cement him as Denver’s next big thing.

Julian Strawther and the Depth Pieces: X-Factors

Then there’s Julian Strawther, the third-year wing fighting for rotation minutes. His 15-point explosion in Game 6 against OKC—knocking down 4-of-6 threes— showed why Denver drafted him in 2023. But at just under nine minutes per game last season, he’s still a fringe player, stuck behind Braun and Gordon.

Strawther’s microwave scoring could be an effective bench spark, especially with point guard Bruce Brown back to help run the offense. Yet, his defense lags, and consistency remains elusive.

Don’t sleep on the deeper bench, either. Hunter Tyson, a 6’8” sharpshooter, hit 40% from three in the G-League, while Jalen Pickett’s playmaking offers backcourt insurance.

These pieces aren’t stars yet, but with Aaron Gordon recovering from a May 2025 hamstring strain and Murray’s injury history, they could see real minutes. Their job? Fill gaps without forcing Jokic to play 40 minutes a night. Strawther’s make-or-break training camp could determine if he’s a keeper or trade bait.

Conclusion

Denver’s young core—Braun’s grit, Watson’s blocks, Strawther’s flashes, and the bench’s upside—is the Nuggets’ lifeline. With Jokic at 30 and the cap squeezed by Murray’s $46 million and Gordon’s $23 million deals, the Nuggets can’t afford to develop their young guys slowly.

The 2023 title feels distant after two straight second-round exits. Training camp, starting in October 2025, is their proving ground. If Braun becomes a two-way star, Watson a defensive anchor, and Strawther a reliable sixth man, Denver could chase another ring. For now, Nuggets fans can dream that these young guns might keep Jokic’s dynasty alive.