Nuggets pick up 2025-26 options on trio of former first-round picks

The Nuggets have picked up the 2025-26 rookie scale team options for Christian Braun, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson, Keith Smith of Spotrac reports. The Nuggets later confirmed the news.

The front office’s decisions on their contracts come as no surprise, since the trio will all play prominent roles this season. Braun and Strawther are battling for the starting job vacated by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, while Watson is one of the team’s top reserves.

Braun’s fourth-year option is worth $4,921,797, while Strawther’s third-year option is worth $2,674,148. The fourth-year option on Watson’s contract is pegged at $4,356,476.

Those were the only option decisions Denver needed to make before the Oct. 31 deadline.

Braun and Watson will be eligible for rookie scale extensions next offseason.