The Denver Nuggets have been one of the best teams in the league for nearly a decade, and they know the importance of keeping their core around.
Moving forward, the Nuggets are in championship-or-bust territory. While winning every season is the ultimate goal, delivering another title in Nikola Jokic’s prime is of the utmost importance.
Considering Jokic is seemingly set to stay in Denver for the foreseeable future, his hopes of winning another NBA title likely lie with the front office’s ability to put the perfect team around him. One of the perfect players for Jokic to play alongside is Christian Braun, who moved into the starting lineup last season.
After breaking out as a key role player in his rookie season on the Nuggets’ championship run, Braun’s role has steadily grown each season. With him likely to be in the starting five again next season, the Nuggets would be smart to lock him up for the next few years.
Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Braun might be able to get an extension done this summer, with The Athletic’s John Hollinger projecting him to get a deal in the four-year, $85 million range.
While the Nuggets would love to get Braun to take a bit of a discount from that number, it could simply be the price to pay for a two-way wing who is starting for a championship contender. Considering his chemistry with Jokic and ability to stay on the floor when other Nuggets miss time with injury, Braun is well worth the contract he can sign before next season.