The Denver Nuggets have ended the Peyton Watson trade saga by pulling the trigger and sending the rising forward to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a multi-team trade.
Although it was a brutal blow the Nuggets had to accept and endure, Christian Braun still seems happy about Watson's Denver departure.
With Watson inking a four-year, $88 million contract as part of his sign-and-trade pact with the Cavaliers, Braun posted an Instagram story and congratulated his former teammate on his new deal upon landing in Cleveland.
Christian Braun linked to Nuggets rumors before Peyton Watson official trade
Along with Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun notably emerged in previous reports as a player the Denver Nuggets have been actively shopping to keep Peyton Watson this offseason.
After signing a five-year, $125 million extension last year, Braun was limited to 44 games due to injuries this past NBA season.
His performance has been inconsistent throughout the year, averaging 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Braun’s production further declined as the Nuggets suffered a first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with him averaging just 8.3 points on 41.7% shooting over six games.
Per reports, Watson looked to secure more than the contract that Braun had obtained with the Nuggets. Now, the talented wing has settled for less money by exiting Denver to join Cleveland.
Braun and Watson entered the Nuggets as their first-round rookies in the 2022 NBA Draft. Both players ultimately won their first title as part of Denver's championship run a year later.