OKC Thunder can quietly hold one of the most intriguing young guards and global perspectives in the League in the subject of Nikola.
Once projected as a choice among the first five before a knee injury, the slide did not erase the talent that made it so coveted.
His on -board elite pressure, his advanced vision of the creation of games and his size of a rare position at 6 feet 6 inches make him an immediate bench contributor who adapts perfectly to the training system and OKC’s kick.
With its ability to collapse the defenses and create an easy look, it offers both short -term stability and a significant long -term advantage as a potential starting caliber with huge up.
Thunder has a prodigy in preparation with the subject of Nikola
The OKC offensive thrives on the relentless pressure of the edges, and the subject corresponds perfectly to this mold. Thanks to his size, he has made a living in painting with KK Mega Mis Soccerbett, with an average of almost 19 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds per game on 52% shooting in the ABA League.
He produced 1.2 points per possession in isolation and classified in the 10th upper centile Insolement use, showing that it can beat the defenders head-on and efficient.
This skills are essential for the Thunder and their drive system, where RIM’s attacks create easy cuts and kicks.
The subject has the vision of collapsing the defenses and generating looks for others, but it is more than a simple facilitator.
His ability to put pressure on the edge as a marker makes him an ideal initiator of the second unit, keeping the stable offensive when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rests.
In the long term, if it adapts to the speed of the NBA, the subject has the pedigree and the skills to become a high -level creator, not only by holding the fort, but by raising the reigning champions ceiling.
Defensively, the 20 -year -old remains a work in progress, but his enviable setting gives him versatility to integrate into the Thunder switching system.
There is also no better place to develop these instincts than Oklahoma City, where connected and versatile defense has become the identity of the team.
Its size and sensation allow it to protect several spots, which makes it a piece with a potential double sense over time.
The vision of Sam Presti is clear – the subject can have an impact immediately as a bench initiator while turning into a guardian who completes and potentially directs the OKC nucleus.
Like Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins and Jalen Williams in front of him, he could flourish much more than a depth piece.
For the moment, Nikola Topic remains the hidden gem of the Thunder, someone who can shine immediately in a support role, with the long term to become a star in its own right.
