Christian Braun boldly accepts improved role from Nuggets in wake of Bruce Brown’s exit

With Bruce Brown taking an important financial reroute for himself last free agency, the Denver Nuggets are now looking at Christian Braun as the guy that they would groom to fill the void left by the super sixth man.

As such, there is no one who would want that important opportunity more than himself.

“I want that challenge,” Braun said, per The Denver Post’s Sean Keeler. “I want a bigger role and I think everybody wants a bigger role.

“But the fact that the Nuggets show confidence in me and (in) our young guys to come in and take over that role and make that next step means a lot to me. And obviously, I’m going to prove them right.”

Braun was a sparkling revelation and one of the bright images of Denver’s successful 2022-23 season.

The 2022 NCAA champion out of Kansas instantly caught the trust and faith of head coach Michael Malone, serving as a solid spark plug off the bench with his high motor and IQ, defense as well as huge upside.

For 76 regular season games, he averaged 4.7 points and 2.4 boards. And in the playoffs, he went on to become a surprising insertion at the Nuggets’ playoff rotation, tallying 3.2 points and 2.1 boards, and has shot over 53 percent from the field in 19 games for 13 minutes.

His most impactful outing was back in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, finishing with 15 points (7-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 19 minutes to help Denver take the 2-1 series edge.

“I mean, the work has already started (for me), just doing certain things to expand my game, doing certain things to be a better ballhandler, secondary ballhandler,” he said.

“With Bruce being gone, I’m gonna have more opportunities like that. I think I’m prepared for that. I mean, that’s just part of your whole career – you take a step up there to (get) here.”

Brown left Colorado to pursue the first big paycheck he can secure, signing a two-year contract with the Indiana Pacers that would pay him over $40 million.

It is indeed a well-deserved cashout for the do-it-all swingman who significantly helped the Nuggets to clinch its maiden title using his relentless energy and versatility.

For Braun, what Brown demonstrated throughout the course of Denver’s title journey is just a perfect blueprint for him to portray moving forward as he is now slated to take his position in the club.

“You learn a lot from a guy like (Brown),” Braun said Brown. “I think (Bruce is) a defensive-minded player that ended up playing really well on offense for us.

“I just learned to play hard like that and love (the area). I think (Brown) really stepped into his role and stepped into a new city and fell in love with the city. And I think that that’s why he got all that success.”