Renewing their commitment to pursuing another NBA title in 2025-26, the Denver Nuggets signed guard Christian Braun to a five-year, $125 million rookie contract extension, multiple outlets reported Monday.
Braun had one year remaining on his rookie deal, but resigning him after 2025-26 could have been a challenge for the Nuggets.
After earning just 10 starts in his first two seasons, the Kansas product started 77 of 79 games in 2024-25. He more than doubled his scoring from his second season, averaging 15.4 points per game, and finished eighth in the NBA with a field goal percentage of 58.0.
Braun played a key role in the Nuggets’ transition offense, which led the NBA with 19.1 fast break points per game.
Denver’s offense is potentially explosive with Braun supporting perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokic (29.6 points per game last season), backcourt mate Jamal Murray (21.4), forward Aaron Gordon (14.7) and newcomer Cameron Johnson, who averaged 18.8 points per game a year ago with the Brooklyn Nets.
As Denver’s eighth man in 2023, Braun averaged 3.2 points and 2.1 assists in 19 playoff games to help the team clinch its first championship.
The Nuggets visit the Golden State Warriors on Thursday to open the season.
