Reports are that OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been working on his off-ball game this summer, a development that Team Canada Senior Men's Basketball head coach Gordie Herbert believes could make the two-time MVP even "tougher to guard."
While mastering his offensive touch without the rock in his hands should positively impact Oklahoma City as a whole from a predictability standpoint, individually speaking, no player on the team should benefit more from this addition to SGA's game than Nikola Topic.
The 20-year-old is arguably the best natural passer this Thunder team has on the roster, and he only strengthened this sentiment during his first active season in the association by dishing out a ridiculous average of 13.3 assists per 100 possessions in 2025-26.
His dime-dropping skills were put on even further display when receiving two straight starting nods to close out the regular season, where he registered 11 and 14 assists, respectively.
Already, it was widely believed that Topic could be in the running for a few more minutes of action this coming year, what with the departures of fellow backcourt talents Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Lu Dort.
However, considering it's an aim of Gilgeous-Alexander's to receive more assistance in his bucket-getting prowess, perhaps the young floor general could be of even more use than many may have initially believed.
Opportunity comes knocking for Thunder youngster at perfect time
Though he may have only just seen actual NBA action for the first time this past year, as soon as 2026-27 tips off, Topic will officially be a third-year player, which means he'll be eligible for two things: a fourth-year team option and, more importantly, a contract extension.
The problem right now, unfortunately, is that due to his torn ACL upon coming into the association, and then his testicular cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery this past season, the point guard has only played in a total of 10 games with the varsity team.
Despite being a recent lottery-selected talent with a prospect profile regarded as one of the top in the 2024 class, Topic is still a relative unknown commodity, and, considering the Thunder are already operating on a tight budget, committing $7.48 million for a fourth year, and then an even higher amount with a possible extension, is a hefty price for a question mark player.
With the moves Oklahoma City has made this summer, along with Gilgeous-Alexander's desire to play more off-ball, it seems opportunity has come knocking just in the nick of time for the likes of Topic.
Hopefully he can find a way to capitalize.
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