Clippers Nuggets.

AleksandarN · Post #1 » by **AleksandarN** » Wed Sep 2, 2026 10:57 pm

Nuggets get

Derrick Jones Jr.
Isaiah Jackson
Kris Dunn

Clippers get

Christian Braun
Zeke Nnaji
Cavs 1st round unprotected pick

With the punishment handed out by the NBA. I could see Clippers trading in their expiring contracts for worse contracts to regain draft capital. That 31st pick would be valuable to the Clippers I bet. Nuggets save almost 6 million this year and get off CB’s and Zeke’s contract and get much needed depth.

Post #2 » by **Texas Chuck** » Wed Sep 2, 2026 11:00 pm

As LA with the massive pick debt, they are better off leveraging what they still have -- the city of LA. Cap/tax/apron space are simply more valuable there than in most markets. Taking on a bunch of bad money for a pick in 5 years is bad business. If they want to buy first round picks using ability to take on salary, those opportunities will always be there.

Just makes no sense to take on Braun for that pick. Home run for Denver obviously. But LA never considers this.

AleksandarN · Post #3 » by **AleksandarN** » Wed Sep 2, 2026 11:03 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:As LA with the massive pick debt, they are better off leveraging what they still have -- the city of LA. Cap/tax/apron space are simply more valuable there than in most markets. Taking on a bunch of bad money for a pick in 5 years is bad business. If they want to buy first round picks using ability to take on salary, those opportunities will always be there.

Just makes no sense to take on Braun for that pick. Home run for Denver obviously. But LA never considers this.

I think the unprotected pick is valuable to them. They will most likely lose Dunnand DJJ for nothing next offseason. So cashing them in for a pick might be enticing. CB had a bad year last year because of the injuries. I expect him to bounce back

Post #4 » by **Texas Chuck** » Wed Sep 2, 2026 11:07 pm

I mean if you think he bounces back, then Denver keeps him. But asking another team to take that big and long of a gamble for a pick that far out is optimistic. Again especially LA whose cap/tax/apron space is more valuable because of the city. And you get can unprotected firsts without having to take back 9 figures like this. That is a ton of money on a Nuggets' fans "expecation" that a player they are paying to dump becomes a good player lol.

jayjaysee · Post #5 » by **jayjaysee** » Wed Sep 2, 2026 11:40 pm

Agree with Chuck.

But id lean the value would be bad for any team, not just LA market.. Two decent roleplayers and taking on a ton of money - doesn’t seem like good value.

The league actually punishing LAC takes this from bad value to should not consider though imo.

mademan · Post #6 » by **mademan** » Thu Sep 3, 2026 12:35 am

Ya 5 years is a very long time. Braun might bounce back, but even if he does, he's well overpaid for his production. And if he doesnt, he's an anchor. Agree with Chuck, the Clippers only way out of this is to sell a big time FA on LA in a couple of years when theyre pick debt is lessened.

babyjax13 · Post #7 » by **babyjax13** » Thu Sep 3, 2026 12:59 am

I will go against the consensus here: I think the Clippers should do it. They are in absolute hell asset wise, and if the pick can move Braun for expirings now, it can later, too, if they find they don't want to keep him. I also like the fit of Braun the player between Garland and Ingram.

AleksandarN · Post #8 » by **AleksandarN** » Thu Sep 3, 2026 4:17 am

Texas Chuck wrote:I mean if you think he bounces back, then Denver keeps him. But asking another team to take that big and long of a gamble for a pick that far out is optimistic. Again especially LA whose cap/tax/apron space is more valuable because of the city. And you get can unprotected firsts without having to take back 9 figures like this. That is a ton of money on a Nuggets' fans "expecation" that a player they are paying to dump becomes a good player lol.

I just want to add MPJ was perceived as a worse contract than CB. And the Nuggets saved almost 20 million in cap space on that trade alone. And got a better player in Cam than Dunn and DJJ combined for Nuggets unprotected 31 first. With the Clippers in a worse situation than the Nets I don’t think it is a bad trade at all

sonictecture · Post #9 » by **sonictecture** » Thu Sep 3, 2026 4:57 am

The pick is far out but could be used in another trade for something the Clippers like.

Post #10 » by **Mavrelous** » Thu Sep 3, 2026 6:31 am

babyjax13 wrote:I will go against the consensus here: I think the Clippers should do it. They are in absolute hell asset wise, and if the pick can move Braun for expirings now, it can later, too, if they find they don't want to keep him. I also like the fit of Braun the player between Garland and Ingram.

I too think it's a good deal for the Clippers, and Braun is a good reclamation project.