Christian Braun is on the verge of getting a giant payday, according to multiple prognosticators.
The Denver Nuggets shooting guard who just wrapped up his third season in the NBA finished fourth for the league’s Most Improved Player, as he stepped up huge in successfully sliding into the starting five in replacing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The former first-round pick out of Kansas has one more year left on his rookie deal, worth just under $5 million, then he would be a restricted free agent. But he’s eligible to sign an extension this summer through late October. And the Nuggets will likely want to lock in the 24-year-old for the long term.
“Extension candidate to watch, Christian Braun certainly has helped himself,” ESPN’s NBA front office insider Bobby Marks. “You can check the boxes off. He should get paid. What does getting paid mean? Jalen Suggs was five [years] for 150 [million]. I would think it would be higher than that based on where the cap is going.”
“But career high in minutes. Started 77 of 79 games. Third year in a row playing 75-plus. Durability played all 82. Joined Dyson Daniels as the only player in the past two year to increase their scoring average by more than eight points. Christian Braun will get paid. He is a terrific player and he fits what you’re trying to do. I think the number is at least 30 million per year.”
— Ralph Mason (@Ralph_MasonJr) May 19, 2025
Braun averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game during the 79 games he played in the 2024-25 regular season. Those numbers over Denver’s 14-game playoff run were 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists a night, with his 3-point shooting inconsistencies being the main reason his scoring dropped. Though he’s always been known more as an athletic slasher and it’s why he ranked among the game’s best for transition scoring.
Players who had similar production to him who were in his situation over the last two summers and did sign the rookie extension were paid anywhere between $7.5 million and $39 million per season. The lower end of that scale was Payton Pritchard’s four-year, $30 million deal with the Boston Celtics, while Desmond Bane was given $197 million over five seasons.
Though he’s never made an All-Defensive team like Jaden McDaniels, the Timberwolves’ defensive-focused forward could be a good comparison to Braun. Each is an inconsistent shooters and is surrounded by a bunch of bigger names. Minnesota gave him $131 million over five years just before the 2023-24 season. Two years down the line from inking that deal would mean $30 million is likely a decent projection for Braun.
Though Bleacher Report had a more team-friendly idea for Braun, coming in at four years, $94 million. The Nuggets would likely want to keep Braun closer to that $23 million number since they’re already into the luxury tax and are up against the second apron. Braun’s deal would kick in just as Aaron Gordon’s salary jumps to $32 million, while Michael Porter Jr. has a $41 million player option. That would put the Nuggets’ starting five’s salaries over $200 million for the 2026-27 season.
Denver may also play the situation out, letting the October deadline pass and readressing the situation later, like in the summer of 2026. Braun would be a restricted free agent and could match what somebody gives him on the open market. It’s hard to say what he’s worth with the league going away from the star-centric model and very few teams having cap space going into this offseason. The issue in playing it out is that the Nuggets would create a difficult situation with a player they like. Denver also risks Braun taking another jump next season and being worth even more money.
The 2026-27 season is the column to focus on regarding a Christian Braun extension.
Denver is $26M below the 2nd apron without the guard. pic.twitter.com/SLIaz2DFLx
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 19, 2025
