Christian Braun has established himself as a useful beginning wing for the Denver Nuggets this season, however Michael Malone beforehand pushed to maneuver the younger participant earlier than his breakout. Sources inform Jake Fischer that Malone advocated for buying and selling Braun previous to the 2024 commerce deadline throughout the Nuggets’ title protection, preferring to accumulate a extra established participant in return. This revelation provides Braun to the checklist of gamers who’ve needed to overcome being buried on Malone’s bench earlier than incomes constant minutes.
Denver finally saved Braun, who has since claimed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s former spot within the beginning lineup. The choice has paid dividends for the Nuggets as Braun has flourished in his expanded function. The third-year participant is at the moment averaging 15.5 factors, 5.2 rebounds and a pair of.6 assists per recreation whereas sustaining a powerful taking pictures clip of practically 40 p.c from three-point vary.
Braun’s growth represents a big success story for Denver’s participant growth pipeline, as he has remodeled from a bench participant right into a dependable starter alongside the Nuggets’ core stars. Braun turns into eligible for a contract extension this offseason.
