Topic missed the season with ACL tear, returned to show promise in Summer League; healthy ramp and role behind Holmgren and Sorber will determine OKC's frontcourt depth, with potential for meaningful minutes once ACL recovery completes.

Nikola Topic, No. 12 pick in 2024, was rehabbing ACL when OKC drafted him, marking back-to-back top picks missing a season for the Thunder. Topic's timeline remains fluid, with guard depth and future rotation impact depending on return timing and performance once healthy.

Topic, 20, was cut from Serbia’s EuroBasket 2025 roster after ACL rehab and a Summer League showing. The decision leaves him chasing steady Thunder backup-guard minutes in 2025–26 as he rebuilds time and form. His absence from EuroBasket reduces immediate international workload, but preserves his long-term NBA development arc with OKC.

Topic sits among OKC’s young talents that the panel notes will still be in the assembly line phase, offering upside but with a higher variance. The presence of Topic signals depth in the Thunder’s pipeline and a potential breakout candidate if development accelerates and roster roles crystallize.

Topic’s speed and shooting add a dynamic wing presence to Serbia, offering outside shooting and cutting ability that can stretch defenses. His development could push Serbia’s depth into a more versatile attack, increasing fantasy upside for a few players who complement his pace and spacing.