The Oklahoma City Thunder reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. They have another team that looks to stay at or near the top for years to come. The team can make history by winning the title, and Topic Nikola can become the third youngest NBA champion. He can become the youngest to win a title without playing a single match.
Nikola Topic is four games away from making history
The Thunder selected Topic with the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He is considered someone with great potential. Before joining the NBA, he played in Serbian League. Topic is still only 19 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. As of May 29, 2025, he is 19 years and 292 days old. Since the NBA Finals will end no later than June 22, even if it lasts seven games, Nikola Topic will become the third youngest NBA champion.
The two younger guys are Darko Milicic And Jonathan Kuminga. Milicic was just 18 years and 361 days old when the Detroit Pistons won the title in 2004. Kuminga was 19 years and 253 days old when the Golden State Warriors won it in 2022. Right now, the third guy is Talen Horton Tuckerwho was 19 years and 321 days old when the Los Angeles Lakers won it in 2020.
Nikola Topic vs. other young NBA champions
Here’s the interesting part. Unlike Milicic and Kuminga, Topic has not played a single game so far in the NBA. He tore his ACL in May 2024 during the Adriatic League playoffs. The much-vaunted perspective has collapsed in the 2024 Draft and that’s how the Thunder were able to get him. He has yet to play even one Summer League game.
During his first NBA season, Milicic played in 34 games and averaged 1.4 points in 4.7 minutes per game. Kuminga played a larger role, playing in 70 games (12 starts) and averaging 9.3 points in 16.9 minutes of action.
The Thunder could be even better next year
As a prospect, Topic was considered the one with the highest ceiling and floor for potential point guards in the 2024 draft class. If not for the injuries, he could have easily been a top-five pick. When we think about the future of the OKC Thunder, they could have the third youngest NBA champion on their roster next year.
A talented and promising young player, Topic possesses a unique blend of size, speed and playmaking ability. The Thunder can either run him for the second unit or even turn him into a veteran contributor. There is no denying that Topic will be a good NBA player. The Thunder definitely need a backup point guard, and Topic can fill it role next year.
OKC has one of the most complete teams in the league. It will be interesting to see how much playing time Topic gets next year. Right now, their main is signed through next year, with team options moving forward for Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Chet Holmgren, Cason WallaceAnd Ousmane Dieng.
Photo credit: © NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
