The biggest problem for the Nuggets during the offseason is how to renew Braun’s contract, and the loss is too great

On May 20, after the Denver Nuggets failed to defend their title in 2024-25, management is facing a tricky offseason problem - how to retain key rotation player Christian Braun. The 2022 first-round pick's rapid growth over the past two seasons has transformed him from a role player to a championship puzzle, and the subsequent renewal issues are becoming the "Achilles' Heel" of the Nuggets' salary structure.

### Braun's growth curve and market value

As the 21st pick, Braun's rookie contract will expire in the summer of 2025. The 23-year-old forward-guard swingman averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in the last season, with a three-point shooting percentage of 38.7%, and performed 20+ single-game performances in the playoffs. According to the NBA Scout League's evaluation report, Braun's defensive efficiency value (DEFRTG) ranks in the top 15% of the league's small forwards, and his off-ball running and conversion offensive ability are perfectly in line with the Nuggets' tactical system.

Many salary experts in the league pointed out in an interview that referring to recent signing cases of similar players - such as Nets Cameron Johnson (94.5 million in 4 years) and Raptors Trent (78 million in 3 years), Braun's market price is indeed in the average annual range of $25 million. ESPN salary expert Bobby Max analyzed: "Considering the rising salary cap and the scarcity of young 3D players, Braun may even get a starting salary of 27 million yuan. "

###Nuggets' salary dilemma

The Nuggets' current salary situation is very tight. In the 2025-26 season, the total salary of Jokic (51.42 million), Murray (44.96 million), and Porter Jr. (35.89 million) reached US$132 million, while the estimated salary cap is only 171 million. What's even more difficult is that Aaron Gordon's contract will also expire in 2026, when he will seek a maximum salary renewal. According to the CBA rules, even if all non-guaranteed contracts are abandoned, the Nuggets can only provide Braun with a starting salary of 18 million yuan.

The general manager of a Western Conference team revealed anonymously: "At least six teams with salary space have listed Braun as a Plan B target, including rebuilding teams such as the Pistons and the Magic that need immediate combat power. They are likely to offer 4-year, 110 million poison contracts. "This quotation structure often has lower salaries in the first two years and soars in the next two years, specifically targeting the parent team with tight salary.

###Potential solution analysis

1. **Sign first and then trade**

Nuggets may try to sign first and then exchange with Spurs and other teams in exchange for future draft picks + combat power. But sources pointed out that the Spurs prefer to take Braun’s contract directly rather than sending out any rotational players. The biggest risk of this solution is that it may weaken its combat power and affect Jokic's championship window at its peak.

2. **Persist the salary cut and renewal **

The team management is playing the "Emotional Card" and emphasizes the system bonus of Denver. But in the history of professional sports, such successful cases often occur to veterans. Braun’s team of brokers has made it clear: "My clients deserve the market price. "

3. **Disassemble the core lineup**

There are radical plans to recommend trading Porter Jr., but its transaction value is greatly reduced by his injury history. A senior executive from the Eastern Conference commented: "It's hard to exchange Porter for air, let alone upgrade the lineup." Sending Gordon away will directly destroy the team's defensive system.

4. **Use the Bird Rights Extended Deal**

Theoretically, the Nuggets can ignore the salary cap and renew their contracts with early bird Rights, but will face huge luxury taxes. Based on the current lineup, the luxury tax may exceed US$180 million in the 2025-26 season, which is unbearable for the Nuggets with medium market size.

###Revelation of historical cases

The case of the Warriors retaining Iguodala in 2017 is worth referring to. At that time, the Warriors used all exceptions and eventually left the FMVP for 48 million in three years, but the price was to lose multiple rotation players. In contrast, although the Bucks let Tucker go in 2021, although it saved money, they had to trade more assets to fill the gaps in the future.

Salary experts point out that the real dilemma for the Nuggets lies in the disappearance of "rookie bonuses". Jokic, Murray and Porter's three maximum salary accounts for 85% of the salary space, which is essentially different from the Warriors Curry's "child labor contract" period back then. The design of the modern CBA originally limits the continuity of the dynasty team.

### Possible chain reaction

If Braun is lost, a huge vacuum will appear on the Nuggets bench. When Braun was not on the court last season, the Nuggets' substitute scoring efficiency fell to fifth-last in the league. The more profound impact is that this may open up the disintegration of the core lineup - Jokic has the player option in 2026, and the continuous loss of high-quality puzzles will shake the superstar's confidence in staying in the team.

A famous basketball reporter wrote in the column: "The Nuggets are standing at a crossroads. Braun's stay and departure are not only about a role player, but also a touchstone for testing the management's operating wisdom in the era of luxury tax. Sometimes, the most expensive decision is to make a decision not to change. "

The negotiations between the two sides are still continuing, but various signs show that unless a dramatic salary cut agreement occurs, the hero who helped the team win the 2023 championship is likely to become a victim of the salary structure. This is not only a problem for Denver, but also a cruel economics that all modern NBA championship teams have to face.