After three straight seasons where they have failed to get out of the second round of the playoffs, changes were teased in the offseason for the Denver Nuggets.

Major changes didn’t happen, at least to the starting unit, putting more pressure on Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, and Aaron Gordon to deliver when it matters most.

It’s an extra important season for Braun, whose contract extension kicks in.

Braun signed a five-year, $125 million extension in the 2025 offseason after playing a pivotal role for the Nuggets during his first three seasons in the league. Last year was a disappointment, as his scoring dropped three points and he went from a 39% shooter from three to a 30% shooter.

He was in the final year of his rookie deal last year, but is now paid like a top starter in the league.

Speaking to the media during the opening days of training camp, Jamal Murray said that Braun has gotten “much better” as a ball handler and that he’s getting more comfortable bringing the ball up against pressure.

The Nuggets have lacked another playmaker behind Murray and Jokic, with the majority of the offense running through them. Gordon will be used as a creator in a pinch, and DeMar DeRozan was brought in to be the main creator off the bench, especially with Peyton Watson going to Cleveland.

If Braun can prove that he can handle the ball and create for himself, that will make the Nuggets offense even more potent.

While creating for himself will benefit the Denver offense, the biggest thing the Nuggets need from him is getting back to being a lethal three-point shooter. If he’s shooting around 39% again, fans will be happy with his performance.

Braun is in the bottom half of the league as a creator, but he also hasn’t been tasked with carrying much of the offense with Jokic and Murray on the team.

Braun played just 54 minutes last season with Jokic and Murray off the court. Denver had a 113 offensive rating in those minutes. If you’re looking for a positive sign, Watson had a 106 offensive rating with Jokic and Murray off the court last season.

The fifth-year player out of Kansas won’t be tasked with running the offense by himself. He should be asked to prove he can be more of a safety net for Murray and Jokic if they don’t have it going.