Thunder select Nikola Topic with No. 12 pick in NBA Draft

(KFOR) -- In a relative surprise the Oklahoma City Thunder used the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Nikola Topic, a 6'6" 203lb 18-year-old point guard from Serbia.

Topic is described by experts as an elite ballhandler and passer, with a good ability to finish around the rim in the pick-and-roll. His listed weak points are as a shooter and on the defensive side of the ball. All of these traits compare to Josh Giddey, whom the Thunder just traded away a few days ago to acquire Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls.

The consensus is that Topic will not play this year and spend the entire 2024-25 season rehabbing from an ACL injury he suffered this past season.

Oklahoma City wasn't pressed to fill any big needs in the draft, and likely weren't going to take a player that would be a major contributor this season anyways. The Thunder provide Topic an opportunity to rehab at his own pace, while working his way back slowly to give him a chance to adjust to life in the NBA. Expect Topic to be ready to make an impact on his new team in a couple of years.

This pick is currently the only one the Thunder possess in the 2024 draft. It appears likely OKC will shift its focus to free agency in order to fill out the rest of the roster.