As the 2024 NBA Draft heats up, reports are coming in fast and furious about potential moves, surprises and projections. On Friday, ESPN offered up a slew of rumors to chew on, like the one that the Oklahoma City Thunder could move up select Connecticut star Donovan Clingan.
However, the Jonathan Givony rumors didn’t stop there, another player linked to the Thunder is Serbian goalkeeper Nikola Topic. During this draft cycle, the 18-year-old was considered a top-five prospect, with many placing him at the top spot.
However, with another injury to add to the list as Topic tore his ACL just a few days ago, his draft night slide is now expected. The 18-year-old will likely be out for the entire 2024-25 season, needing a redshirt year to recover from an additional knee injury.
That is why Givony reports that the OKC Thunder could be within his reach in an article from ESPN on Friday. Highlighting the youngster could be worth picking as he goes downhill due to injury.
“The fact that Topic is only 18 years old – younger than six of McDonald’s 24 All-Americans entering college this season – and was at one point considered a potential No. 1 prospect at start of the season, means he’s unlikely to fall very low on the board on draft night. San Antonio (No. 8), Utah (No. 10), Oklahoma City (No. No. 12) and Portland (No. 14) are considered potential landing spots by the teams according to the doctors’ full evaluations on his medical exams, which have not yet been distributed, only the teams selected from. the first 15 will have access, in accordance with the new ABC rules. Givony reported.
Although the topic is not a sure thing, even if it is healthy. The 6-foot-7 guard with the same wingspan. His game needs a ton of finishing, which is no surprise for a teenager as he lacks a fluidity to his game that could cause the youngster problems translating his ball prowess to the next level.
While he is a fantastic playmaker with playmaking and passing skills, a reworked jump shot and improved ball scoring will be necessary to thrive at the NBA level.
The subject has all the potential in the world, however, and Oklahoma City has the luxury of not needing the No. 12 pick to contribute right away. Resting a 57-win improvement on the shoulders of a rookie would be malpractice, no matter how ready someone might be – because Oklahoma City will have to rely on internal development and recruiting players NBA proven to strengthen its workforce. So taking a photo on Topic wouldn’t be the worst outcome.
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