Two players frequently discussed as potential targets for Denver are Cam Johnson and Christian Braun. A recent discussion by Jared Koch of Nuggets On SI explored a hypothetical Nuggets-Mavericks trade centered around Braun, with the Nuggets acquiring Klay Thompson as the centerpiece.
Mock trade scenario: Denver would send Christian Braun, Zeke Nnaji, and a 2026 first-round pick (No. 26 overall) to Dallas. In return, Dallas would send Klay Thompson, Caleb Martin, and a 2026 second-round pick (No. 48 overall). The underlying motivation for Denver, as noted in the discussion, isn’t just the value of Thompson but the financial flexibility such a move could create for the franchise.
Christian Braun’s contract status is a key consideration. Braun signed a five-year, $125 million deal that begins in the 2026-2027 season with a $21.5 million salary. By the 2030-2031 season, his salary would rise to about $28.4 million. After a strong 2024-2025 season, where Braun averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, his output dipped in the 2025-2026 season to 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over 44 appearances. While a down year at age 24 doesn’t determine the future, the Nuggets might view the opportunity to move off the contract as prudent as they balance payroll needs and extensions for emerging players such as Peyton Watson.
Klay Thompson’s NBA career remains notable. Since joining the NBA in 2011, Thompson has been recognized as one of the league’s premier shooters, spending more than a decade alongside Stephen Curry as part of the Splash Brothers. Over 11 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson averaged 19.6 points and shot 41.3% from three, earning All-Star honors five times and All-NBA recognition twice. Thompson later joined the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract. In 141 games with Dallas, he has averaged about 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, with a 38.7% three-point percentage on roughly 7.7 attempts per game.
From a financial perspective, Thompson is on an expiring $17.4 million salary for the 2026-2027 season. Caleb Martin is on a $10 million deal with a $9.3 million player option for 2027-2028. The proposed move would be a short-term decision for Denver, allowing the team to pivot away from an overpaid contract while potentially rebuilding around Jokic with greater payroll flexibility and room for other extensions.
In summary, the proposed trade scenario centers on restructuring the Nuggets’ payroll and roster balance, using Braun and a couple of additional pieces to bring in a veteran shooter in Thompson. While the deal would alter Denver’s immediate lineup, it would also redefine their long-term financial flexibility as they position the team for future opportunities and potential extensions.
