Denver, CO
How a Christian Braun Trade to the Mavericks Could Help Nuggets
A lot of changes could be in store for the Denver Nuggets over the next few months depending on how aggressive this front office wants to be in their offseason moves.
Those moves could even include a trade surrounding Christian Braun––their young wing that they just gave a $125 million extension to less than 12 months ago––yet may be on his way out if there’s a returning package that makes sense for the Nuggets to entertain.
The list of suitors for Braun could be slim. He’ll be making over $20 million next year, coming off a season in which his stock considerably dropped, and might be seen as an added risk to take on for whatever team might be on the receiving end of his services.
However, when surveying the market of those who could decide to take interest later this offseason, the Dallas Mavericks might be a team in search of that two-way presence on the wing next to Cooper Flagg. And if they are indeed interested in a swap, Denver has an ideal package they can try to obtain.
What a Christian Braun-Mavericks Trade Would Look Like
When looking at the Mavericks’ cap sheet and the players they have on the books, only a select few would make sense from Denver’s perspective to pursue, while also being valued comparably to Braun.
One of those top players who could be a strong fit for Denver in a Braun deal is P.J. Washington, who’s on a similarly long contract for the next four seasons, but makes a little less than $20 million for the 2026-27 season–– which tends to help out the Nuggets a bit in their current cap situation.
Here’s a look at what the total trade could look like for both Denver and Dallas if a Washington-for-Braun swap were truly in play:
One important factor to note about the deal is that it’d have to come after the draft takes place later this month. Braun has a poison pill restriction on his extension that lasts until July, and they can’t trade their first round pick until after making the selection due to the Stepien Rule in place.
However, if this trade were to have a bit of traction, it checks a lot of boxes for what the Nuggets would be looking for by swapping out Braun for a more versatile wing defender in Washington.
He’s a bit cheaper, has a better size to place him on the wing as a multi-positional defender, can be a positive floor spacer that fits with this elite Nuggets offense, and is still under contract for multiple seasons that rids of any concern that this is a short-term rental.
It’d only be a trade done if the Nuggets feel like Braun won’t be trending upwards any time soon, and their upcoming extension will only be a hinderance to their long-term growth. On the surface, it feels like Denver might not have reached that point with their young wing following one bumpy season just yet.
However, that doesn’t mean a deal like this doesn’t have value that the Nuggets could heavily consider.
Especially in what would be a great way to bolster their defensive upside next season, adding Washington could effectively allow Denver to lift off the ground as better than a bottom-10 defense in the league like they were in 2025-26.
The Nuggets adding in a first-round pick to sweeten the pot might not be totally preferable. But for where Braun and his value currently stand, walking out of a deal like this without giving up draft compensation feels pretty unlikely.
A 26th-overall pick, while valuable, isn’t the end of the world for the Nuggets’ forfeit, and might actually be what tips the Mavericks over the edge to be onboard with a move like such.
Iif the Nuggets want to truly maximize their roster on both ends, adding Washington offers a good chance of being able to do just that. So if the Mavericks were one of the select teams willing to take on the risk that Braun has baked in, this could be a deal Denver considers pulling the trigger on.
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While the entirety of the Denver linebacker room may be the weakest part of the defense, most of that blame can be directed to what’s happening on the interior as their outside linebackers have been one of the best parts about the defense and they come with a great amount of depth.
The Broncos’ OLB group will remain constant in 2026 with both the starters (Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto) and their backups (Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman) locked down through at least 2027 (besides Tillman). And then there’s Que Robinson who has shown a ton of promise. So with these names, there’s not too much space left on the roster, but Dasan McCullough might have what it takes to make an impact.
McCullough, whose father and grandfather both played in the NFL as running backs before becoming coaches, comes from a family that is all about football, and this has clearly had an impact on how he sees the game. He has been touted by scouts for his high football IQ and instincts that follow.
McCullough, who has spent time with Indiana, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, has had a near-immediate impact on each of those teams and will seek to continue that trend this offseason.
Age: 23 | Experience: R | College: Nebraska | Height: 6’5” | Weight: 240 pounds
Arm Length: 33-7/8” | Hand Size: 9-3/8” | Vertical: 36” | Broad Jump: 10’-3”
40-Yard Dash: 4.59 seconds | 3-Cone: 7 seconds | Shuttle: 4.52 seconds
Parker Robertson’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
While it might be the inside linebacker group that struggles in pass protection, especially against tight ends, McCullough can aid them as an outside guy. In college the incredibly athletic linebacker has spent a ton of time in a hybrid position, especially at Oklahoma where he played a mix of linebacker and safety. That season he would record 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. And when he was a true freshman he was playing on the ball and racked up 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks, which would earn him an All-Big Ten honorable mention.
It’s also his frame and mobility that lends to the belief of him being able to fit in on any modern defense. And with Vance Joseph usually running a good mix of defensive looks, McCullough could be a versatile guy that can fit in with that scheme.
Of course, McCullough is not the perfect prospect though. Some struggles include relying on his athleticism as a pass rusher and not having a refined technique, a lack of consistently shedding blocks against teams that like to run the ball, and missing open field tackles. The good news is that these are all techniques that can be coached into him. The only thing that would be left is putting on some more weight as he may struggle against NFL offensive linemen at just 240 pounds.
There is always a demand for young, smart, and athletic talent, especially when it comes to filling up depth spots on the roster. Given what McCullough brings to the table, there is a legitimate chance that he can make this team, and if not the 53-man roster, then the practice squad.
AURORA, Colo. — A pedestrian died Thursday morning after he was hit by a car on southbound E-470, the Aurora Police Department said.
The crash happened around 6:19 a.m. Thursday, according to the E-470 Toll Authority, shutting down the highway between 48th and 56th Aves. for approximately three hours. The stretch of road reopened around 9:24 a.m. Thursday, according to the E-470 Toll Authority.
A 34-year-old man intentionally jumped in front of a white Chevrolet Silverado driving on southbound E-470, according to the initial Colorado State Patrol (CSP) investigation.
- Watch the full Denver7 traffic report in the video player below.
Deadly vehicle, pedestrian crash shuts down stretch of SB E-470: Aurora PD
The driver of the Chervolet was not injured and stayed on scene to assist law enforcement with the investigation, CSP said.
Traffic was diverted off E-470 at 48th Ave. during the closure, the E-470 Toll Authority said, advising drivers to find alternate routes. Northbound E-470 remained open during the fatal crash investigation led by CSP.
Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Jayson Luber
Denver7 traffic expert Jayson Luber knows Colorado roads like the back of his hand – but he’s always looking for stories impacting transportation in our state for his Driving You Crazy podcast and beyond. If you’d like to get in touch with Jayson, fill out the form below to send him an email.
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