Nuggets are reminded of $125 million mistake on the worst-possible time -

Because the Denver Nuggets compete in a troublesome first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a earlier mistake has change into painfully apparent. Nuggets ahead Christian Braun is called a three-and-D wing.

Whereas he largely stuffed that function, he is solely averaging 9.5 factors and 4.5 rebounds per sport in opposition to the Timberwolves. That’s down from his regular-season efficiency, which noticed him miss practically half the season and shoot a profession low from three.

Consequently, he continues to be underwhelming in comparison with his deal. Braun signed a 5-year, $125 million contract final summer time. Whereas he’s a succesful participant, it is change into painfully apparent that he is not price being paid $25 million a 12 months. By signing him to that monster deal, the Nuggets repeated a earlier mistake.

The Nuggets signed Christian Braun to a foul contract

The Nuggets made a mistake by signing Braun to a contract that’s harking back to what they gave to Michael Porter Jr. Porter Jr. clearly had an important season after he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

That retroactively makes his contract look a lot better. Nevertheless, when he signed that contract, it was a wild overpay by Denver.

He was given a rookie max deal regardless of having missed his total rookie season and all however 9 video games in his fourth 12 months. They bid in opposition to themselves and overpayed Porter Jr. by tens of tens of millions. The Nuggets then did the identical factor with Braun.

The Nuggets have not realized from signing dangerous contracts

That later pushed the Nuggets up in opposition to the second apron and compelled them to surrender an unprotected 2031 first-round choose to dump Porter Jr. on the Nets.

The transfer allowed Denver to have a lot better depth this season, however what good is that in the event that they wasted a useful first to dump Porter Jr.? Had they not overpaid him, they would not have been in that place.

Now, we’re seeing historical past repeat itself with Braun. To maintain Peyton Watson, they are going to seemingly have to maneuver on from Braun or Cam Johnson. Transferring Braun will not be as straightforward given his contract, they usually aren’t precisely flush with draft picks.

That has additionally prevented the Nuggets from shifting Zeke Nnaji, who’s making $8 million yearly despite the fact that he’s largely out of their rotation.

Denver has secretly sabotaged the Nikola Jokic period with baffling strikes, which they’re later pressured to commerce property to repair. It appears like they may must do the identical with Braun.