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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – SEPTEMBER 30: Nikola Topic #44 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on September 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
When the Oklahoma City Thunder won the first championship in franchise history Sunday night, rookie guard Topic Nikola made its own history. A situation that will be very difficult to repeat one day.
Subject did not play in any of the Thunder’s NBA Finals series against the Indiana Pacers. He also did not play in any of the previous playoffs. Indeed, he also didn’t play at all, as Topic actually missed his entire rookie season due to injury.
It is precisely because of this that Topic became the first player in history to win an NBA championship – without actually playing in the NBA.
A poorly timed injury turned out to be fortuitous
The subject was selected by the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Draftthe one in which they chose the lottery despite a season of 57 victories. Using the twelfth overall pick – a slot that has been extremely powerful in recent seasons – the Thunder chose the 6’5 Serbian guard. even knowing that he had suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee just a month before his draft, which helped explain why a player once considered a top-10 pick was able to fall to the Thunder.
The Thunder picked Topic despite his injury, hoping he wouldn’t be able to play at all this season, an expectation that came true. As a result, even though he played the same number of minutes in the NBA as your father, Topic now has one more ring than him.
For this situation to occur, it took a very specific set of circumstances, which only the Thunder could bring about.
A success of the Thunder’s asset accumulation strategy
As we know, thanks to years of shrewd trading, the Thunder have an exorbitant cache of draft picks in their closet. About two dozenall things considered. And having all these weapons has countless benefits.
First, it allows the team to operate on multiple timelines. Because they have so much in the room to retool and go again, the Thunder can be both great now and great later, capable of going in any direction they choose at any time while navigating the constant fluctuations of the player market. If someone they want becomes available, whether now or in two years, they can enter the bidding war, no matter who it is.
Second, it allows for multiple bits to be icing. Not every draft pick hits the jackpot, and they never will; even the Thunder, who are most right, must accept this That of Ousmane Dieng career did not go as planned. Yet it is precisely because they have many options that they can survive failures.
And third, it allows for great patience. The Thunder can incubate those they believe are worth it because their high-end quality and rotation depth means they won’t suffer in the meantime. The only obstacle is places on the list.
The subject is at the top of these three parts. The Thunder can wait until he gets better and take a risk on his injury, knowing he can survive the waiting period. They highly value Topic’s talent and potential, especially since he is now an NBA champion. Throughout the “nothing” seasons, the subject could not have been better,
Mark Deeks I am continually intrigued by the esotericism and details of all aspects of building a basketball team. I want to understand how to build the best basketball teams possible. No, I don’t know why either. Learn more about Mark Deeks
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