After being redshirted for the entirety of 2024-25 due to a torn ACL and, once cleared for action, showing out during this year's NBA Summer League, OKC Thunder fans are now champing at the bit as they await the debut campaign of guard Nikola Topic.
Considering he was a lottery-selected talent in the 2024 NBA Draft that many believe would have been a top-five selection had he been a part of the 2025 class, the excitement surrounding his arrival to the rotation is understandable.
However, although the belief is that Topic is a talent with the potential to eventually thrive in the association and, specifically, within this Thunder scheme, expectations for him being able to make a notable difference in year one should be severely tempered.
Nikola Topic will likely need time to get acclimated to Thunder
Of course, this is not to say that it's impossible for the rookie to establish himself as a difference-maker in year one.
Just last season, fans witnessed second-round pick Ajay Mitchell surprise the masses and carve out a regular spot within the eventual NBA Champion's rotation, and he was far from the high-profile prospect Topic is.
However, his insertion into the mix was largely based on three key factors: his reliable shooting skills, impressive defensive chops, and the fact that Oklahoma City's roster dealt with a slew of injuries throughout the season.
Hopefully, there will not be a repeat of the health-related hardships that plagued the Thunder in 2024-25, which, if successful in staving off such troubles, would automatically axe the aforementioned third factor.
This, then, only leaves him showcasing his ability to shoot and play defense as potentially replicable ways to etch a consistent spot into the system.
He certainly has shown flashes of the latter ability, as he measures in at 6-foot-6, thus boasting the build to guard multiple positions, and averaged 2.0 steals per game out in Salt Lake City and 1.7 in Las Vegas during Summer League.
However, as has been the case even during his tenure overseas, there's still much to be desired from his shooting stroke, as he converted on a mere 31.9 percent of his shots from the floor this summer.
While his distribution skills are certainly elite, and will help buy him time on the court in year one, a guard who struggles to shoot is rather hard to give a significant role to, especially on a team with primary handlers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, who often pass out of scoring opportunities for catch-and-shoot looks for teammates.
As Thunder fans bore witness to in the past with guys like Russell Westbrook, for example, it generally takes a year or two for guards to develop in the association, especially ones who struggle with their shot.
So, while excitement to see the 20-year-old former lottery pick finally take to the hardwood may be rather high, Oklahoma City's faithful followers must come in with the understanding that Topic needs time to get fully acclimated to the NBA game.