The OKC Thunder shocked fans by drafting Serbian-born Nikola Topic instead of a big man to address their rebounding needs, with general manager Sam Presti hinting at Topic’s absence for the upcoming season due to a knee injury.
In numbers
- Nikola Topic was selected 12th overall in 2024 NBA Draft.
- The Thunder ranked 27th in rebounds the previous season.
Yes, but
Despite the excitement of drafting a talented point guard like Topic, there are concerns about his availability for the 2024-25 season.
State of play
- Sam Presti hints that Topic will not play the upcoming season due to a partially torn ACL.
- The Thunder could request a disabled player exception allowing them to spend $5 million.
And after
Nikola Topic’s recovery and future playing status will be closely monitored by the Thunder, with potential implications on team performance and roster strategy.
Conclusion
The Thunder’s decision to add Nikola Topic to fill a critical need raises questions about his immediate impact and the team’s strategy, potentially leading to financial adjustments due to his expected absence.
