The Denver Nuggets might move on from one or two starters in the offseason.
The Denver Nuggets entered the 2025-26 season with championship aspirations after going seven games with the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 playoffs, and maintaining their core three of Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray.
Denver made a big splash in the offseason, trading Michael Porter Jr to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson in hopes of adding a more reliable two-way player to fit into their system.
Though the regular season results were good with Denver finished third in the West, the playoffs were a disappointment as they were knocked out in six games in the first round courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Offseason Changes?
Changes are likely to happen for the Nuggets, and it could start with trading Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun to free up money and add different pieces to the puzzle.
According to ESPN, "the belief around the league is that Cameron Johnson (on an expiring $23 million deal) or Christian Braun (on a five-year, $125 million extension signed in the fall) is likely to be moved to create enough room to give Watson something in the per-year range of those players."
Peyton Watson is a restricted free agent and is will be paid by either the Nuggets or another team after his breakout season where he posted career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and shooting.
In order to sign Watson, whether outright or matching an offer from another team, Braun or Johnson will have to be traded to keep Denver from overspending.
Who Should Be Traded?
Braun's value might be at an all-time low after his playoff performance against the Timberwolves.
Braun averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 41% from the field and 42% from three on 2.3 attempts in the six game series against the Timberwolves. He was a non-factor for most of the series, and often targeted by Jaden McDanielson and Ayo Dosunmu on switches.
Braun's extension kicks in this upcoming season and he will be owed $21 million in 2026-27. That's a high price to pay for a player who declined this past season and has big question marks around his two-way play. He is only 25, and some team might be willing to bet on his upside.
Johnson has more value as an expiring contract, but he is owed $23 million and is 30 years old.
In his first season with Denver, Johnson averaged 12.2 points on 43% shooting from three, but his shooting dipped in the playoffs to 31%.
Johnson still has value as a spot-up shooter and secondary scorer on a different team whose offense doesn't revolve so much around a playmaking center like Jokic.
Of the two, Johnson's value is higher, but Braun is the player they should look to move.
