Christian Braun’s Reaction to 5-Year Extension Is Exactly What Fans Want To Hear

In this story:
In the 2022 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets took a chance on Christian Braun with the 21st overall pick, as the young guard was coming off a National Championship with the Kansas Jayhawks. The Nuggets have mastered the art of finding gems in the draft, and Braun was no exception.
Last season, Braun burst onto the scene as a true difference-maker, averaging 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game with wildly efficient 58.0/39.7/82.7 shooting splits. Braun's performance last season undoubtedly impressed Denver's front office, as they were willing to cough up some extra cash when it came time for his contract extension.
On Monday, the Nuggets and Braun agreed to a five-year extension worth $125 million, keeping him under contract through the 2030-31 season.
CONTRACT: EXTENDED
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 20, 2025
We’ve signed Christian Braun to a multi-year extension. pic.twitter.com/FxmL3vr3Bf
The Nuggets now have their core group of Braun, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray under contract for the next few years, and the 24-year-old guard is excited to be in Denver for the long run.
Braun reacts to massive extension
In his first practice back after signing a huge five-year extension, Braun spoke to the media, and his reaction to the deal is very telling about how he feels about Denver.
"It means the world to me. I think that it's just validation at the end of the day," Braun said. "The people that trusted in me, you know, I got drafted here. I never changed schools or teams in high school. I never changed in college. And I don’t want to change in the NBA. I want to be here. I want to be a big part of winning. I want to be a really big part of what happens here and the success that happens in Denver."
Christian Braun on signing an extension with the Denver Nuggets:
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) October 21, 2025
“I got drafted here. I never changed schools or teams in high school. I never changed in college. And I don’t want to change in the NBA” pic.twitter.com/WdizcZ5Fy0
Braun has made it very clear that he loves it in Denver, and as the team continues to compete for NBA championships, he wants to be a big part of it. Of course, with an average salary of $25 million over five years, Braun is expected to play a huge role in Denver's success, but it is great to hear him admit he wants to have that weight on his shoulders.
"That's always been the biggest thing for me," Braun continued. "It's cool to be a Nugget. I want to be a Nugget for my whole career, but I understand that to do that, we need to win. I think that signing the contract before the season started allows me to focus only on winning. That's what I want to do... I want to win, but I want to win as a Denver Nugget."
With their core group all under contract, especially three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are set to win another championship after winning their first in franchise history in 2023. At a minimum, the Nuggets will be in championship contention every year, but this team certainly has higher hopes, and fans should be very excited for what's to come.
More Denver Nuggets Content
- David Adelman Comments on Christian Braun’s New Nuggets Extension
- Christian Braun Sends Strong Message to Nuggets After $125 Million Deal
- Nuggets Fail to Reach New Deal With Peyton Watson
- Nuggets, Christian Braun Agree To 5-Year Contract Extension
- Denver Nuggets Predicted To Earn Unexpected NBA All-Star Nod

Logan Struck is a writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's On SI since 2023
Follow LoganStruck