Emrah Yorulmaz/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder have landed one of the top international prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft, selecting Serbian point guard Nikola Topić with the 12th pick.
Scouting report by Bleacher Report expert Jonathan Wasserman
Comparison of the pros: Goran Dragic
Screening report: There haven’t been many teenagers as productive as Topić in the Adriatic, where he used his 6-foot-2 size, maneuverability, vision and finesse to score and create plays. His shot was inconsistent and he lacks remarkable athleticism, but Topić still has clear shooting range and the tools and instincts to compensate for limited explosiveness.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: $35.9 million (2027)
Luguentz Dort, SG: $16.5 million (2027)
Chet Holmgren, C: $10.9 million (2026)
Josh Giddey, SG: $8.3 million (2025)
Kenrich Williams, SF: $6.7M (2027)
Cason Wallace, PG: $5.6M (2027)
Ousmane Dieng, SG/SF: $5M (2026)
Jalen Williams, SG: $4.8 million (2026)
Jaylin Williams, C: $2 million (2026)
Adam Flagler, G: Two Ways (2025)
Isaiah Joe, SG: Club option
Aaron Wiggins, SG: club option
Lindy Waters III, SF: club option
Keyontae Johnson, SF: Free agent
TyTy Washington Jr., 2nd Class Player: RFA
Topić rose to prominence by leading Serbia to a gold medal at the 2023 European Under-18 Championship. He began the 2023-24 season at Mega MIS and averaged 18.6 points and 6.9 assists in 13 games before being traded to Crvena Zvezda in December for a chance to play in Euroleague games.
Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a knee injury and he was diagnosed with a Partially torn ACL He has passed his NBA physical. Still, his youth makes him an attractive prospect with a bright future. Once he is fully healthy, he could become a key contributor for Oklahoma City in his rookie year.
The 18-year-old is a ball-dominant point guard who excels at attacking the rim and making plays for himself and his teammates. At 6’2”, Topić has a height advantage over most other point guards, making him a reliable finisher around the basket. He has areas for improvement like his three-point shooting and defense, but he has the skills to become an effective playmaker.
