The OKC Thunder may be quietly holding one of the league’s most intriguing young guards and overall prospects in Nikola Topic.
Once projected as a top-five pick before a knee injury, Topic's draft-day slide didn’t erase the talent that made him so coveted.
His elite rim pressure, advanced playmaking vision, and rare positional size at 6-foot-6 make him an immediate bench contributor who fits perfectly into OKC’s drive-and-kick system.
With his ability to collapse defenses and create easy looks, he offers both short-term stability and significant long-term upside as a potential starting-caliber guard with immense upside.
Thunder have a wunderkind in the making with Nikola Topic
OKC’s offense thrives on relentless rim pressure, and Topic fits that mold perfectly. Thanks to his size, he made a living in the paint with KK Mega MIS Soccerbett, averaging nearly 19 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds per game on 52 percent shooting in the ABA League.
He produced 1.2 points per possession in isolation and ranked in the top 10th percentile in isolation usage, showing he can consistently and efficiently beat defenders one-on-one.
That skill set is critical for the Thunder and their drive-heavy system, where rim attacks create easy cuts and kick-outs.
Topic has the vision to collapse defenses and generate looks for others, but he’s more than just a mere facilitator.
His ability to pressure the rim as a scorer makes him an ideal second-unit initiator, keeping the offense steady when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rests.
Long-term, if he adapts to NBA speed, Topic has the pedigree and skillset to grow into a high-level creator, not just holding the fort, but raising the ceiling of the defending champions.
Defensively, the 20-year-old remains a work in progress, but his enviable frame gives him the versatility to fit in the Thunder’s switch-heavy system.
There is also no better place to develop these instincts than Oklahoma City, where connected, versatile defense has become the team’s identity.
His size and feel allow him to guard multiple spots, making him a potential two-way piece in time.
Sam Presti’s vision is clear -- Topic can make an impact immediately as a bench initiator while developing into a guard who complements and potentially leads OKC’s core.
Much like Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Jalen Williams before him, he could blossom into far more than a depth piece.
For now, Nikola Topic remains the Thunder’s hidden gem, someone who can shine right away in a supporting role, with the long-term upside to grow into a star in his own right.