DENVER — The Nuggets’ starting five is going to look a little different next season.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the starting shooting guard for the last two seasons agreed to a three-year contract with the Magic worth $66 million, according to multiple reports. Denver had Caldwell-Pope's Bird rights, but matching or exceeding Orlando's offer would've taken the Nuggets into the punitive second apron of the salary cap. The Nuggets also have to consider the implications of contract extensions for Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon ahead of next season.
After the first round of Wednesday's draft, Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth expressed confidence that 23-year-old Christian Braun could capably replace the 31-year-old veteran in the event he left Denver.
“When you look at some of the teams that have been good in the past, they have to find a way to replace fourth, fifth starters, sixth men off the bench and still keep rolling. It would be nice if he’s back,” Booth said. “They have a lot of continuity together, but I think all the stuff I’ve looked at, lineup (data) and everything, Christian Braun is one of the best net rating guys in the league, as is KCP.
"I think if he (Braun) is to step into the starting lineup like probably projected, I think we’ll be OK if KCP doesn’t return.”
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