The Denver Nuggets and guard Christian Braun have agreed to a five-year, $125 million rookie contract extension, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal, confirmed by Braun's agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, secures the 24-year-old as a foundational piece for a team that remains focused on contending for championships in the years ahead.
Braun was the 21st overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, and his steady rise has made him one of Denver's best developmental success stories. Executives Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace made finalizing the extension a top organizational priority before the 2025-26 season tipped off, ensuring Braun remained locked in as part of a core built around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon.
Since joining the Nuggets, Braun has transformed from an energetic reserve to a vital starter. Last season, he appeared in 79 games, starting 77, and posted career highs across nearly every major category. He averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 58 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from three-point range. He was one of only five players in the NBA to average at least 15 points and five rebounds while shooting at least 58 percent from the floor, and the only non-center to reach those marks.
His emergence came at a crucial time for Denver. The franchise, already structured around Jokic's three-time MVP brilliance, needed additional perimeter scoring and defensive support following roster changes in recent seasons. Braun filled that role seamlessly, proving capable of handling the physical demands of a full season as a starter while maintaining elite efficiency.
Braun's most dynamic contributions came in transition. According to ESPN Research, he led the NBA in total fast-break points last season and became the first player since Buddy Hield in 2018-19 to record more than 400 fast-break points in a single campaign. His combination of athleticism, awareness, and finishing ability provided Denver with a new offensive dimension, helping the team maintain pace and energy in critical stretches.
The extension places Braun among the Nuggets' highest-paid players, with an average annual value of $25 million. That figure underscores Denver's long-term confidence in his growth and importance. The Nuggets now have five players set to earn at least $20 million during the 2026-27 season, solidifying their commitment to keeping a championship-caliber core intact.
Braun's success story also extends beyond the professional level. Before entering the NBA, he won an NCAA championship with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2022, then captured an NBA title as a rookie with Denver in 2023. That made him just the fifth player in basketball history to win college and professional championships in consecutive seasons. His winning pedigree and steady demeanor have become defining traits within the Nuggets' locker room.
While Braun's new deal was finalized before Monday's rookie extension deadline, teammate Peyton Watson, the team's 30th overall selection in the same 2022 draft, was not expected to reach an agreement before the cutoff, according to league sources.
For Denver, this latest move continues a pattern of decisive action by the front office. With Jokic under contract through 2028 and Murray and Gordon also signed long term, extending Braun reflects the organization's belief that its internal development pipeline remains the key to sustained success.
There was no urgency to reach a deal from a financial standpoint, but Denver wanted to avoid any uncertainty heading into the new season. Negotiations between the Nuggets, Braun, and Duffy intensified over the weekend, culminating in an agreement that satisfied both sides.
The timing is also strategic, as Denver prepares for its season opener against Golden State on Thursday. With Braun's future secured, the Nuggets enter the 2025-26 campaign with stability, depth, and renewed focus.
Braun's rise from late first-round pick to cornerstone starter represents a developmental triumph for Denver's front office and coaching staff. His mix of defense, transition scoring, and efficient shooting complements the franchise's superstars and ensures that the Nuggets' championship window remains wide open.
As the Nuggets chase another title, Braun's new deal not only rewards his growth but also cements his place in the organization's long-term vision. In a league where stability is rare, Denver has made it clear that Christian Braun will remain a key part of the plan well into the next decade.
For more on the Denver Nuggets and the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.