Thunder's Nikola Topic: Goes 12th overall to Thunder

Topic (knee) was selected by the Thunder with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

While the Thunder, who owned the Rockets' pick, had a chance to add an instant-impact player, they instead opted to add a future piece in Topic. The 18-year-old out of Serbia is one of the more intriguing guards in the draft, possessing excellent scoring and playmaking ability at 6-foot-6. However, he's recovering from a partially torn ACL in his left knee, and his availability for the upcoming season is uncertain. Even if he's cleared to play at some point in 2024-25, the Thunder view Topic as a developmental player, so he's unlikely to make much of an impact in Year 1 for one of the best rosters in the Western Conference.