The Oklahoma City Thunder used the 12th pick to select Nikola Topic in the 2024 NBA Draft, who many are comparing to former No. 6 overall pick Josh Giddey. Thunder general manager Sam Presti was asked about that thought process Wednesday night.
“I wouldn’t compare him specifically to Josh (Giddey) or any other player… Guys who are important to their position and have a good command of the game… we value those skills… I don’t think you have enough guys who can make decisions on the field,” Presti told a local media group on Wednesday.
The Thunder certainly have an archetype they’re looking for, top-tier processing, passing, positional size, versatility and a healthy Topic who fills those boxes. That’s why the Serbian was projected to be a top-five pick before another knee injury.
Topic differs from Giddey in a number of ways. Beyond the giant point guard archetype, the 18-year-old is much more likely to succeed as a jump shooter, a much more refined finisher, and free-throw success is one of his biggest selling points. High-level reads and off-the-dribble passing seem better for his age than Giddey, who tends to get the ball early in the polls.
Perhaps the biggest difference is the luxury Topic will enjoy in Oklahoma City. As the team changed its name every season, its role grew further and further from what it was meant to be, and both teams were running out of time to make it work.
The subject, meanwhile, will know the exact role the Thunder have assigned him without much fluidity. A clearer picture of the demands, role and skillset with a higher ceiling as a jump shooter is the biggest separating factor between the two.
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