The hype surrounding OKC Thunder guard Nikola Topic is real heading into 2025-26.
After enduring an injury-induced redshirt rookie campaign, the 12 pick from the 2024 NBA Draft is officially cleared for action and slated to join the reigning champion's rotation.
In the lead-up to Sunday's preseason debut against the Hornets, superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander couldn't help but gush over the natural abilities and overall potential Topic has, as he told reporters during Friday's practice that "he just understands how to play basketball."
"He sees the game, he's poised, he has size, [and] he's strong. He doesn't step outside of... I guess what he knows he can do. He's very solid. I would say his gift is that he sees the floor, sees the game, [and] sees the next possession. That's hard for players to get," Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Thunder superstar heaps praise on redshirted rookie Nikola Topic
Gilgeous-Alexander is far from the only member of this Thunder team to be publicly salivating over the talents of Topic.
Chet Holmgren went on record during NBA Media Day earlier this week, stating that "it really stands out the way he sees the game," and specifically highlighted their runs playing pick-up ball together throughout the summer as an important way for him to get a better understanding of the guard's game.
All throughout the offseason, the hype surrounding the 20-year-old Serbian stud was continually rising.
Coming into last year's draft, Topic was widely believed to have been a legitimate option to be taken with the top pick had he not partially torn his ACL that May.
His play in the 2025 NBA Summer League, where he led all players in assists per game (7.3) while also posting averages of 11.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, only supported such a notion among fans, while simultaneously leading scouts to believe that he would have been a top-five pick in this year's festivities as well.
Considering just how crowded the Thunder backcourt already is with the likes of Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Ajay Mitchell all vying for playing time at either one of the two guard slots, it's important for Topic to shine bright during training camp and preseason as he attempts to crack to rotation in year one.
Though the odds may be against him based on sheer roster depth, Gilgeous-Alexander said in his media session that the rookie is a "really good player" and that he has confidence that he'll "find his way into this group."
Sunday, fans will finally be able to see Topic participating in (somewhat) meaningful action while playing with and against legitimate NBA talents. Tip-off down in North Charleston Coliseum is slatted for 5 pm (ET).
Make sure to tune in to see what all the hype is about!