Battling adversity, Nikola Topić debuts, adding elite playmaking and scoring to the Thunder's already versatile, historically deep guard rotation.
Although the Thunder lost its final regular season game before the All-Star break, the contest was a massive win because it featured Nikola Topić’s NBA debut.
He was a consensus top five pick in the 2024 Draft before he tore his ACL, but the injury allowed Sam Presti to select him with the 12th overall pick. Topić missed his entire rookie season while recovering from the injury.
The sophomore had an excellent offseason and returned to full strength. Unfortunately, Topić was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October. He has been receiving treatment for the past few months and is now cancer-free. It’s a great story at a human level.
Topić's debut also adds another dimension to the Thunder from a basketball perspective. Oklahoma City’s guard rotation has a historic amount of versatility and will be ready for any scenario in the playoffs.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the team’s offensive engine and holds his own defensively. He has no holes in his game. Ajay Mitchell fits a similar mold as Gilgeous-Alexander in terms of being an all-around, impactful primary ball handler but to a lesser degree, obviously.
Luguentz Dort operates as a defensive specialist who thrives at handling bigger and stronger scorers, while Cason Wallace is a defensive specialist who handles quicker and faster scorers.
Isaiah Joe checks the elite movement shooter who spaces the court box. The sharpshooter opens up driving lanes by his mere presence. Trade deadline acquisition Jared McCain also brings movement shooting and gravity but can handle the basketball and create his own shot.
Topić is a pass-first playmaker with phenomenal court vision and inside-the-arc scoring. He’s theoretically able to get to the rim at a higher rate than Oklahoma City’s other guards besides Gilgeous-Alexander and Mitchell.
Overall, the Thunder’s guard room has an argument as the best group of any position of any team in NBA history. The combination of high-end talent, depth, versatility and chemistry is incredible. Aaron Wiggins and Alex Caruso are not even factored into the equation, either. Although they are more wings than guards, both veterans are able to seamlessly play shooting guard.
This level of versatility will be crucial during the upcoming 2026 playoffs when the Oklahoma City Thunder faces adversity and a variety of different lineups and schemes. Being able to adapt is one of the most important attributes for title contenders, and no team can try different strategies than the Thunder.