Nuggets Consider $25M Rookie Extension for Braun

Merlin sees the Nuggets and guard Christian Braun negotiating a rookie extension, with "the low end" of his range pegged "around $25 million per year." That matters because Denver can only finalize one 2022 rookie-scale extension by Oct. 20 and sits roughly $400,000 over the luxury tax line, creating a "tricky luxury tax situation" that could leave Peyton Watson without a new deal. Braun broke out as a starter last season (15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 35.3% 3PT) and would jump into Denver’s upper pay tier if the team meets his ask — a hint they might expect him to become Nikola Jokic’s first All-Star teammate. Merlin senses the front office leans toward rewarding production, but the luxury-tax arithmetic will shape whether they keep roster depth or open the purse.