The Denver Nuggets and Christian Braun have come to terms on a new 5 year, $125M contract extension on Monday per Braun’s agency.
The new deal locks in a key piece of Denver’s core through the 2030-31 NBA season, while allowing the former 1st round pick to enter free agency in his age 30 season. Braun saw tremendous growth after becoming a full time starter last season, posting career highs in points (15.4), steals (1.1), rebounds (5.2), assists (2.6) FG% (58%), 3 point % (39.7%) and minutes (33.9) per game. He also led the NBA in total fast break points as well, often acting as the outlet pass for perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokic.
With the rookie extension deadline looming, both sides were able to come together to work out a new deal that will see the 6’6″ shooting guard earn a sizeable pay raise from his 4 year $13.8M rookie deal. Monday’s 6pm deadline has several rookies set to enter the 2025-26 NBA season without long term extensions including Braun’s teammate Peyton Watson.
Teams appear hesitant to commit term and dollars to the 2022 class at the moment, with players such as Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren set to enter the season without extensions.
Per Jake Fischer of the Stein Line, “Sources say neither first-round pick for the Pistons has generated much momentum on a new deal with Detroit to this point in the process. The sudden announcement this week that Ivey needed a surgical procedure to alleviate discomfort in his right knee isn’t expected to require a significant recovery period, but it certainly doesn’t make negotiations any easier for the Pistons, who might understandably elect to be cautious. Ivey’s camp nonetheless anticipates a promising market next summer even in the wake of last season’s left tibia fracture.”
“Duren, meanwhile, has established himself as a fixture in Detroit’s lineup, but sources say talks between the Pistons’ starting center and Trajan Langdon’s front office have been tepid to date. Duren’s representation has sought well north of last fall’s benchmark of $30 million in annual average value, according to league figures with knowledge of the situation, believing there will be no shortage of interest in restricted free agency next July for a proven big man if the 21-year-old makes it to the summer marketplace. Might Detroit prefer to hold off on extensions now and operate as a cap-room team next summer? Answers coming very soon.”
Canadian forward Shaedon Sharpe recently inked a 4 year, $90M contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers, joining Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams as fellow members of the 2022 rookie crop to put pen to paper ahead of Monday’s deadline.
With Denver set to open their season on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors, Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace now have one less item to worry about with regards to their roster this year.
Photo: Grunn050. This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.