Nikola Subjecta projected top-10 pick in the 2024 draft, was remember to EuroLeague side Red Star after spending the 2023/24 season so far with Mega MIS on loan. Subject matter ESPN’s Jonathan Givony (Initiated Link) on the move and what it means for his draft value.
“It’s a huge risk, but I’m ready,“Subject said about moving.”I have 100% confidence in myself. My father, my agent Misko Raznatovic and I understand that this decision could affect my draft chances if I do not perform well. But I’m ready to compete and fight.»
According to Givony, Topic replaces a former NBA player Shabazz Napierleft for Milan, and will have the chance to play alongside former NBA guards Milos Theodosic And Nemanja Nedovic. While Red Star has courted the Serbian guard heavily in recent weeks, the decision to return was ultimately Topic’s, and he will look to help his hometown team overcome a 6-10 start to the year. Greek coach Giannis Sfairopouloswho has already led Deni Avdijawill result in Topic.
“We haven’t talked about the role I will play,» Subject said. “Whatever he says, I will do it. If he says to die on the ground, I will die. Whatever the coach needs, I will do my best to do it.»
Topic has been impressive in the Adriatic League with Mega MIS so far this year, averaging 18.6 points and 6.9 assists per game and a true shooting percentage of 63%. According to Givony, NBA teams will closely monitor how Topic adapts to the EuroLeague, which is considered the highest level of competition in the world outside of the NBA.
Breaking down Topic’s game further, Givony writes that he will almost certainly be asked to adjust his game for a Red Star team ranked last in the league in terms of pace. However, Givony expects the experience to positively benefit Topic’s defense and perimeter shooting.
“Basketball is a game of decisions,» Subject said. “It’s a mental game. Use angles. The player who makes a faster decision will win. The EuroLeague is a game of minds. It’s a game of readings.»
We have other notes from the world of basketball:
- In the same story reserved for insiders, Givony and Jeremy Woo discuss other draft-related topics. As both men point out, one of the reasons the 2024 draft class is considered weaker than usual is the fact that it will be older than most – it has the chance to boast being the oldest first-round class since 2013. Zach Edey, Kevin McCullar And Oso Ighodaro all fight their way into the first round while the freshmen like Elmarko Jackson, Aday Mara And Caleb Foster look more like multi-year college players rather than who they appeared to be before the season, Givony and Woo say.
- NBA coaches and players have made their feelings clear about how games are officiated, along with the Warriors coach. Steve Kerr among the last criticize the refereeing this season. Zach Kram of The Ringer supports However, the NBA doesn’t actually have a free throw problem, as free throw attempts and rates have been trending downward. Kram stands out Joel Embiid as someone who receives criticism for calling fouls, but points out that Embiid leads the league in field goals made per game. Kram concludes that fouls will always be a game of cat and mouse for the NBA, as players will look to push the limits to get free points and the league will continually react.
- Former NBA guard Kevin Pangos joins Spanish club Valencia after terminating his contract with Olimpia Milano, according to Sportando. Pangos has previously played for Gran Canaria and Barcelona in Spain. The 6’2″ point guard played one season in the NBA in 2021/22, playing in 24 games (three starts) and totaling 39 points and 30 assists for the Cavaliers.
- The February 26 match between Pistons And Knicks has been moved from Detroit to Madison Square Garden in New York and will now be announced at 7:30 p.m. ET, according to an NBA release (Twitter link). “The cause of this change was unique scheduling complications associated with the in-season tournament,“, we read in the press release. The Athletic’s Fred Katz tweets The Pistons’ 2-28 start likely factored into the decision — a team will end up playing 42 games on the road, and the NBA would probably prefer that team not be in playoff contention.
