Christian Braun poised for $126.5M extension as Nuggets weigh rookie deals; Watson remains uncertain
With the rookie extension deadline looming Monday at 6 p.m. ET, the Denver Nuggets still have decisions to make on two young talents: Christian Braun and Peyton Watson.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Braun is the likeliest to secure a new deal. “He’s too integral to Denver’s plans,” Bontemps noted, emphasizing the importance of locking in Braun’s contract before he hits restricted free agency next summer.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks projects Braun’s extension at five years and $126.5 million, starting at $21.8 million annually—a figure that would place him among the top 15 highest-paid shooting guards next season. Marks described the deal as a “solid compromise” for both sides.
Braun played a pivotal role off the bench during Denver’s championship run in his rookie year and transitioned smoothly into the starting lineup last season following Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s departure. Bontemps called him “the one clear long-term building block” on the roster.
Meanwhile, Watson’s future remains uncertain. ESPN insiders suggest he’s still too unproven for the team to settle on a fair extension.
Despite a relatively stable lineup, Denver made a notable offseason move by swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson. Braun is expected to retain a similar role to last season, and if he continues to deliver, his new contract could prove to be a wise investment.
