Due to no fault of his own, it's quite evident that Nikola Topic has become the odd man out in this OKC Thunder backcourt rotation.
Despite being a 20-year-old, recently selected lottery pick, Topic has fallen behind his fellow guard talents out in Oklahoma City solely because of a slew of health issues throughout his two-year tenure.
From missing his first season in the association with a torn ACL to being shelved for more than half of 2025-26 while undergoing treatment for testicular cancer, the sophomore has spent a large portion of his time in the NBA riding the pine.
It is because of this lack of availability that guys like Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, and mid-season trade acquisition Jared McCain have all gained significant distance ahead of him on the depth chart.
Considering their similar age ranges, along with their already proven, high-end level of production within coach Mark Daigneault's main rotation, it seems more than clear that Topic will remain buried on the bench moving forward if he were to stay put out in the Sooner State.
With this in mind, for the sake of giving the innately talented youngster the best chance to show his true potential in the league, the Thunder may want to strongly consider moving on from him this summer.
Not only could such a decision benefit Topic, but it would almost certainly help Oklahoma City.
Trading Nikola Topic could be a win-win for both him and Thunder
The Thunder find themselves facing many "good problems" heading into the offseason.
Their embarrassment of riches in the top-shelf star department has them beaming their way toward surpassing the dreaded second apron threshold, while their treasure trove of draft capital sees them prepping to add two prospects in the first round of this year's draft.
Moving on from Topic would not only help shed an easy $5 million from next year's payroll, but also clear up a roster spot for a fresh young talent to take over.
On top of this, someone of Topic's ilk should almost certainly net the Thunder even more highly valuable future draft compensation in return.
Let's not forget that, before sustaining his knee injury ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, the point guard was regularly in consideration for the number one pick in the festivities, and is believed to have been a sure-fire top-five selection had he declared for the following year's class.
Topic is a pure floor general equipped with the build of a modern-day wing (measures in at 6-foot-6). Even in his short sample size of playing experience with the Thunder, it was easy to see just how multifaceted a talent the youngster is, as he wrapped up this past season with averages of 5.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 boards while shooting 40.0 percent from deep in just 16.0 minutes a night.
The point guard only upped these numbers when thrust into the starting lineup, posting a stellar 16.0 points, 12.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals while shooting 50.0 percent from both the field and beyond the arc.
Needless to say, the potential for Topic to become a high-impact difference-maker in the NBA is as clear as day. Due to their overabundance of guard talents ahead of him, said potential seems unlikely to be reached with the Thunder.
On a point guard-needy team like, say, the Brooklyn Nets or Sacramento Kings, however, the possibility of it shinning through becomes far more realistic.
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