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VANCOUVER, CANADA – OCTOBER 6: Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets takes the ball to the hoop after getting past Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half in a preseason NBA game at Rogers Arena on October 6, 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty)
The Denver Nuggets‘ season is over, and the team is catching heat for it. Nikola Jokic had “chokic” trending on X. David Adelman’s star players had to answer for his future as the head coach, and Christian Braun’s contract came to light.
On October 20, 2025, the Nuggets signed Braun to an extension, hoping he would be a big-time player. When he was on a big-time stage during the first round battle against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Braun fell totally flat.
The first two games against the Timberwolves were decent. Braun scored 12 points and 16 points. Since then, he totaled 22 points over four games. For a $4 million player on a club option of a rookie deal, it’s hard to look at Braun and fault him for a playoff loss.
But $125 million guaranteed is on the table. The Nuggets are going to shell out $21.55 million for Braun next season. That salary number goes higher each year until 2031.
Christian Braun’s Struggles Are Wildly Concerning
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MAY 01: Michael Porter Jr. #1 and Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets react after a foul is called during the second quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome on May 01, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The heat was coming for the Nuggets guard on X:
ReformedBuck said: Worst contract ever been known this mf was terrible lmfaoo glad he ruined their dynasty should’ve kept MPJ over this BUM.
Sinformeh added: Why they paying him that much
VegasEnemy1236: Build his agent a statue
B8NKK: 5 year 125 mil ……. bro would be brining jermaine o’neal ice buckets in the early 2000s
Last year, Braun appeared in 79 games for the Nuggets. He shot 58.0% from the field, averaging 15.4 points per game.
The veteran guard also came down with 5.2 rebounds per game, while producing 2.6 assists per game. In the playoffs, he was a quality contributor, producing 12.6 points per game, along with 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
This year? Braun averaged 12.0 points in the regular season and just 8.3 points during the playoffs.
Fadem3 said: His ceiling was last postseason and floor is this post season lol
Lukas_Volman: Kick him out of the entire state of Colorado.
Iverson_III: Paid this guy instead of MPJ. I’m crying 🤣
The Nuggets Have Many Questions
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 05: Aaron Gordon #32 (R) and Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate a basket during the third quarter of Round Two Game One of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on May 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Losing in round one as a third seed is a tough spot to be in for Denver.
They have a lot of questions about their future. Unfortunately, if there is a case of buyer’s remorse, it doesn’t make a difference. Braun is locked in, and with his value low, there’s no easy way out.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
