Nuggets Let a Champion Walk—Now Face $30M Gamble on Rising Star Christian Braun
In a notable NBA move, former Denver Nuggets starter and 2023 NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) has been traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. The deal sends the veteran guard back to the Western Conference—only this time, to a team that’s long been a competitive thorn in Denver’s side.
For some Nuggets fans, KCP’s departure marks a savvy transition. His exit opened up a starting role for Christian Braun, who flourished last season and now looks poised for a major payday. But the Nuggets could have had the best of both worlds—keeping KCP for one more season and developing Braun—if they had simply opted to operate above the second apron.
That path, while expensive, would’ve cost them nothing more than passing on Dario Šarić, who ultimately contributed little. Instead, by letting KCP walk, Denver saved in the short term but now faces long-term consequences: Braun is rookie-extension eligible and, after proving himself as a starter, could command up to $30 million annually.
What was once seen as a financial win could quickly turn into a fiscal headache. The Nuggets are betting big on Braun as their future core piece, but they could soon find themselves shelling out far more than they would’ve paid to keep both wings and chase another title run.
In trying to stay lean, Denver may have gambled away valuable continuity—and now must pay for their new star’s rise.
