The Denver Nuggets are paying a massive price for their talent, with a $218 million salary bill for the 2026-27 season that puts them over the NBA's second apron. This financial pressure makes evaluating their current contracts more important than ever. The team is riding high on the court, having just beaten the San Antonio Spurs 128-118 on April 13, 2026, and they are on a five-game winning streak.
Which Nuggets contracts are the worst?
Starting at the bottom, Christian Braun's deal is a major concern. The guard signed a five-year, $125 million extension, and according to a report from SI, the Nuggets already regretted it before it even started. They now hope Braun can turn his performance around in year five to avoid this contract becoming a total disaster for the franchise. This kind of financial commitment to a struggling player exemplifies the team's cap challenges.
What is the Denver Nuggets' financial situation?
According to Capsheets.com, the Nuggets are the only team in the NBA to have surpassed the second apron line. They are $18 million over the luxury tax, which forces them to pay an extra $75 million on top of their existing roster costs. When you combine salaries with those tax payments, Denver is spending close to $300 million. This puts immense pressure on every contract to deliver value. You can track the team's financial commitments within the full roster on our [squad](/squad) page.
How are the Nuggets performing on the court?
Despite the financial strain, the team's recent form has been impeccable. Their last result was a solid 128-118 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. That win capped off a perfect run of five consecutive wins, with their recent form reading 5W-0D-0L. This winning streak shows the on-court product is currently matching the massive financial investment. Maintaining this form will be vital for justifying the high payroll as they prepare for the next campaign.
What comes next for the Nuggets?
As the Nuggets finalize their offseason ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, managing this expensive roster is their biggest task. They must hope that players on big contracts like Braun can improve their output. The front office has limited flexibility due to their cap position, so internal development is key. The team's success will depend on maximizing the value of every deal on the books, from the worst-ranked to the best. Fans can follow the team's progress and upcoming challenges on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
