The Oklahoma City Thunder are no stranger to delayed debuts of lottery picks. Two seasons ago, center Chet Holmgren made his NBA debut after missing his entire freshman season due to injury, serving as a “redshirt” season for the former No. 2 overall draft pick.
After following the same path as Holmgren, missing an entire year due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, guard Nikola Topic is about to make his official debut in the NBA. The subject is more than happy to get back into action.
“Just to be a part of the team now…It’s amazing,” Topic said when available for media day.
It’s been a long road for Topic to get to this point, going from constantly being projected in the top 10 in his class to falling to 12th after his injury, he more than deserves to be in this position.
If the Serbian guard takes the court for the Thunder’s preseason opener Sunday night at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina, be sure to look for his fit with the Thunder’s stars, his vision across the court and his first step to the rim.
Having a good fit with the other creators on Thunder’s roster will do numbers for Topic’s game, but it will take time. If Topic comes out with a great connection to OKC’s stars, his potential as a playmaker off the bench will be fully unleashed.
Topic discussed how he wants to help stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams succeed this season during media day.
“I think maybe I help them move the ball up the field or something like that. And just make some passes, free up the defense, try to get attention in another way,” Topic said.
Williams, currently listed as a game decision on ESPN, will most likely be out for the game as he returns from offseason wrist surgery. Seeing his compatibility with Gilgeous-Alexander will be a possibility, however.
His court vision was Topic’s primary trait that made him such a highly touted prospect in the pre-draft process. The NBA Summer League showed that the hype was real.
Topic averaged 5.8 assists in Summer League and his vision shined, setting up players across the perimeter and inside the paint.
Topic’s hitting ability was a strong trait before his injury, but he was unable to consistently demonstrate that ability against high levels of defensive focus in Summer League. With a championship supporting cast, this preseason is the perfect opportunity to prove that his athleticism is fully back after a long road to recovery.
The Thunder return to action on Sunday, October 4 at 4 p.m. against the Charlotte Hornets at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina. The game will be streamed on the Thunder app.
