Braun’s new contract is as good as the steal leader. Denver media admitted that the Nuggets have suffered a big loss.

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun has agreed to a five-year, $125 million rookie contract extension with the team, his agent, Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, told ESPN on Monday.

As the 21st overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Braun has become a successful discovery by the Nuggets management in player development. The Nuggets senior management made finalizing a new long-term contract with him a top priority to ensure that Braun becomes part of the team's future core.

Braun became a full-time starter last season, averaging 15.4 points per game. In 79 games (77 starts), he averaged 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, and his three-point shooting rate reached 39.7%. He is one of only five players in the league who can average at least 15 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting at least 58% from the field. He is also the only player on this list who is not a center.

Braun's growth at the shooting guard position will be crucial to supporting perennial MVP candidate Jokic, star guard Murray, core forward Gordon and new player Cameron Johnson. Especially in the transition phase of offense and defense, Braun provided the Nuggets with powerful offensive output. He led the league in total fast-break points last season, according to ESPN. He also became the first player since Hield in the 2018-19 season to score more than 400 fast break points in a single season.

Also today, the Eagles signed a four-year, $100 million early contract extension with the team's steal leader. Daniels was elected the Most Improved Player last season, was selected to the All-Defensive First Team, and ranked second in the Best Defensive Player selection. Daniels completed a total of 229 steals last season. He was the player with the most steals in a single season since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season. He was also the first player to average 3 steals per game since Alvin Robertson in the 1990-91 season.

Since the annual salaries of Braun and Daniels' contracts are similar, many people also questioned that the Nuggets offered him a large contract that far exceeded his worth. "Considering the Nuggets' financial situation, I don't think it's wise to spend $25 million per year to renew Christian Braun. Given his limited shooting ability, I think he is more suitable for a price slightly above the mid-level. The Nuggets always seem to be too generous in their renewal spending." Nuggets reporter Nate Duncan said this.