The Oklahoma City Thunder betted with ceiling and patience when they selected Nikola Topic with the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NBA draft.
The 18-year-old was seen as one of the best prospects in his class before he partially tore his ACL. He will miss all of next season and confirmed he will soon undergo surgery to repair his knee.
Topic had a chance to talk with local media on Saturday. It was the first time he’s been in OKC as he will call it his home for the foreseeable future.
“It’s bad but there are a lot of good things in that. A lot of positivity in that things,” Topic said on being redshirted. “See what the NBA is about, how it’s like living here. To make progress on the physical side on my body.”
OKC is playing the long game with Topic. It envisions him as an elite playmaker who can score downhill with hints of an outside shot. Thunder general manager Sam Presti noted after the season he thinks they can win the playoffs with the pass, he’d help with that.
If everything goes right for Topic, there’s a real possibility he’s a backcourt starter with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s too early to forecast the 2025-26 season, but he’ll have a shot to start from the jump if he impresses next offseason.
The 18-year-old said a few Thunder teammates have reached out to him. He noted he’s excited to play with Gilgeous-Alexander — who’s blossomed into one of the best players in the league.
“He’s obviously one of the best for sure,” Topic said about Gilgeous-Alexander. “Great leader, great person on the court. It really means much to me to play with him.”
It didn’t work out with Josh Giddey, but the Thunder get a redo at that type of archetype in Topic. He’ll be OKC’s best pure passer and will be a pick-and-roll savant. He’s a tall guard that can be a size advantage against most matchups.
If Topic develops an outside shot, he’ll be a threat with Gilgeous-Alexander. That duo should gel a lot better and could give the Thunder their backcourt of the future.
