Nikola Topic Scouting Report | 2024 NBA Draft Breakdowns

[@ryankwoods]

they’re going to let him fall to OKC at 12 🤌

[@lmlHTown1994]

I think Topic could be a really great pick for OKC, especially with the recent trade of Josh Giddy

[@ctoaun23]

Bro a draft psychic

[@ryankwoods]

@@ctoaun23 🤗🤗🤗

[@mattymulls9989]

NAILED IT

[@TexanByNature88]

🔥⚡️🔥

[@wesleydominguez9781]

Welcome to the Thunder

[@qwertyytrewq8597]

You're dropping these quick

[@joeyangelosantos5539]

I believe this ACL tear wont affect his draft stocks. This kid has the smoothest move and passing among all PGs in this draft considering his age. Lots of years to improve 3pt and midrange shooting. Hope the Spurs still picks him.

[@kaffe469]

He could be wembys Tony Parker

[@joeyangelosantos5539]

Yeah. He also has similarities with Manu, the way they pass the ball

[@lelandpage1501]

He's late lottery/mid first for me with the injuries and concerns about whether the driving ability translates at the next level

[@gmoney8399]

Looks like a 6’6 Dragic to me…. Not saying he will be, but If a team knew that’s for sure that’s what he would turn into…. He’d be the number one pick. Honestly Sarr could end up being a beast, but he could also just be a Mitchell Robinson clone. And who the hell knows what Reed Shepherd will be. He’s much more athletic than Jimmer, but could he just end up being another TJ McConnell? Can he be a classic type stud point guard like Stockton or Nash? Honestly I think his ceiling is Tony Parker…. I see a lot of Tony in his game , which is awesome. But he’s definitely a low floor, high ceiling guy lol. Who the hell knows lol

[@vayacondiosbro]

Tony Parker was legit the fastest player in the league for many years: the Dragic comparison I saw but more the crafty Dragic years not the young years

[@gmoney8399]

@@vayacondiosbro Ya bro, Tony has got to be one of the fastest NBA players of all time. He’d blow by dudes with that insane first step, and was so damn fast the help defender had zero chance of getting to him in time. And Dragic was legit one of the fastest dudes in the league for a good stretch. They both were crafty and of course got craftier throughout their careers, but they just dusted dudes with their speed earlier in their careers. I doubt Topic or Shepherd is THAT fast… but they’re fast lol. But I can see some Tony and Dragic in both of their games.

[@Convisis]

This guy is a genuinely talented player. His ability to read the defence on the fly and aggressively drive and finish or make a simple or more advanced pass will hold him in good stead. I’m not sure if he’s an NBA star but I could imagine him being a Euroleague star for many years. If he had Reed Shepherd’s shot he’d be number one hands down.

[@BlindSwami_]

He's easily the best talent in the draft for me. The injury really sucks and it's his only big question mark for me

[@Andrew-zo9dq]

Cody williams has by far the best ceiling imo

[@isaacaldrich3596]

@@Andrew-zo9dq I like his game, is he a shooter though?

[@BlindSwami_]

@@isaacaldrich3596 Shot over 40% from 3 last season but on limited volume. Hard to say

[@czoem1747]

I heared you will be on Locked on Blazers. Can't wait!

[@Trivve]

He needs to join Mike Schmitz on the staff

[@jrueholiday9550]

If it weren't for the injury I would've had him top 2, probably one with Sarr. Do not know what to do with him now

[@BigBroKuma]

Yep that's the entire discussion behind him he was consensus top 3 then the injury happened

[@jrueholiday9550]

@@BigBroKuma Imo especially cause the top of the draft is weaker I think I still consider him a top 2 prospect, still have to buy on his potential as a driver (which he's already elite at), as a passer (good and can become great) and his shooting which isnt great (not that bad either) and he has shown the touch to be more confident in his shooting improving than most

[@irvchilichill1]

Yall crazy... Top 2. Dude is avg for real.

[@smoothhoops3739]

He can still go #2 the Wizards aren't trying to win now lmao

[@TheRealBlackPapi1]

His game is so pretty. Just the beauty in the fundamentally sound PG play. A lost art in a modern NBA full of Iso, guys jacking up 3’s and looking for social media highlights.

[@JerryCasamingo]

6:24 that’s a djurisic play not Topic

[@d-johns22]

Forget Topic, who's the guy at 5:36 👀

[@strapped7404]

If he falls to pick 15 miami heat, please draft him. Then, at pick 43 draft, Nikola djurisic. Nikola jovic, Nikola djurisic, and nikola topic 😮‍💨

[@Zemlja_je_ravna]

pure talent

[@brodiestephens419]

Agreed, they should draft Nikola Durisic as well. Then bring Nikola Mirotic back to the NBA for depth, Bring over Nikola Milutinov and Nikola Pekovic.... then trade Herro, Bam, and Jimmy for Joker and Vucevic.... and now we're talking! PG: Nikola Topic SG: Nikola Durisic SF: Nikola Jovic PF: Nikola Vucevic C: Nikola Jokic 6: Nikola Mirotic 7: Nikola Milutinov 8: Nikola Pekovic

[@Zemlja_je_ravna]

@@brodiestephens419 They are missing someone, let me see Nikolaa...

[@libertsoci]

@@brodiestephens419underrated comment

[@rubencarti6218]

He ain’t dropping that far man

[@d-johns22]

He has great passing vision and his ability to get to the basket should translate. I am surprised he isn't a good defender, but with his size and effort he shouldn't be a liability. I hope my Jazz get him at 10 and give him time to get healthy

[@PodiumTuningRacing]

Really hope the Spurs dont draft him. Hope the best for him but the lack of two way upside is what is my biggest question mark. Castle (top choice), Holland, Matas, Dillingham, Reed, Tidjuan, Williams... Any of those two and I'm good with this draft (assuming Sarr and Risarcher are gone)

[@KD_SWAGGER]

Nikola Topic has some talent on offense. All depends on where he goes.

[@OTOKAGEBEATS]

If he gets better at the floater shot, he can be dangerous at that height. It wouldn't hurt to get that 3pt average to atleast 34%. Hopefully the spurs will take him and pair him with wemby

[@jordanjohnson345]

First ten seconds, I thought you said buddy had megan knees 😣

[@garyleroy91]

He would have been a top 4 pick, now the injury occur, he'll be picked around 10-15 range

[@Jon-BEDM]

Another one? You are the king. That’s really too bad for him about the torn ACL. The difference in pay from 1st to 10th pick is huge over the course of the contract. I hope he gets back to 💯 I wonder if him falling could hurt some teams, the more guards in the top 10 only favors Portland in finding a great forward prospect. On that tip, I think this would be a pick that would break Portland fans’ spirits, an injured guard, they’ll lose it. I kind of hope it happens just to observe the drama... But also, I think he’ll be a really good player.

[@NeoGram19]

Yeah i came here after okc draft him let's go thunder

[@brockycool8354]

i mean he makes the same passes that haliburton usually does and haliburton is considered an elite passer

[@irvchilichill1]

Man don't put this dude in Haliburton category. Haliburton is a league leading assist man. Topic can't even dribble without looking at the ball on his drives. That's why none of his highlights have him really diving in the teeth of the defense and kicking out.

[@brockycool8354]

@@irvchilichill1 i wasn’t trying to make topic sound good i was saying they’re both mid. whenever i watch halliburton he gets all his assists from basic swing passes or in the fast break

[@swishahouse68]

I see Spurs gettin him at 8.

[@Rzaiii]

Hope okc develop him to be a caliber player someday he have high potential than any players in this mid draft season

[@N1kky-jg9hb]

Worth the risk pick #8 by the Spurs

[@aspleen1102]

NO

[@luigillio1861]

What are you smoking?

[@beauandmarion2630]

I really hope he’s not just a Giddey, man. The 88% FT gives me a lot of hope, though. It’s also promising that he shot 3.7 3’s a game.

[@user-hz4sd1zi9l]

giddey is a bottom 10 finisher in the league lol that alone puts topic over him for me

[@beauandmarion2630]

@@user-hz4sd1zi9l This is true, but Topic is arguably an even worse shooter than NBL Giddey, I just hate the fit. We just got rid of a PG who can’t defend and can’t compliment Shai off the ball, just to… draft another? He could very well become the Goran Dragic sixth man type who gives us a really stable 25 minutes off the bench a la Manu Ginobli, but it just feels like the last thing we needed. I get the BPA argument, especially for a team with a rotation that’s going to be very hard to crack for a rookie, but I don’t know if you can justify passing up Knecht, Holmes, or da Silva there.

[@frentzfriez]

​@@beauandmarion2630 we still got more opportunities to address our needs this offseason, it doesn't end in the nba draft, if Topic pans out, which I think he will it's just a luxury, we desperately need a backup PG and more secondary creators after Dub and co. went cold in the playoffs, we still have hella cap space and picks to get a big, also Dillon Jones our 26th pick can rebound relatively well to his size

[@brockycool8354]

this guy looks like he belongs in the magic bird era

[@Multiswagbeast]

I think he can still be a solid as a back up PG.

[@ericperales4505]

6'6 tony parker with a slice of manu 2.0 welcome to spurs 😅

[@Davivd2]

Tearing an ACL at 18, while being well bellow the rim player is a huge red flag for me. This guy's vertical looks like he's 38 with 20 years of NBA wear and tear on his body. Lucky for him that his ACL tear is partial. It will heal better and won't need surgery, I'd be surprised if this guy gets picked in the first round.

[@jkreimborg]

everyone has an opinion. You’re just being dramatic . Jason Kidd was below the rim . And they’re about the same speed , except the he euro is taller and much more developed then Kidd offensively at 18. They can fix an ACL

[@Davivd2]

@@jkreimborg I've seen Kidd dunk a basketball. This guy is 2 inches taller and he's well below the rim. I capped out at 6 foot with the vertical ability to touch the bottom of the net. This guys elevation looks on par with mine, and he's got 6 inches on me. His vertical is bad. That's not being dramatic, that's just using my vision to see him barely getting off of the ground.

[@jkreimborg]

@@Davivd2 well , look again. He’s a 6 ft 6 a Tony Parker .

[@AM-eg9ji]

The acl doesn’t get bloody supply, will most likely need surgery.

[@HeHe-zx2ei]

A guy who knows what there talking about

[@luigillio1861]

3yrs in euro league shooting 30% from three and you guys calling him the next luka doncic you all wild 😂😂

[@ctoaun23]

Better from 3 than Luka shot in the Finals

[@brockycool8354]

bro it legitimately looks like he has a 10 inch vert

[@brodiestephens419]

That's what Americans said about Luka Doncic. There are a lot of guys that were "not athletic enough" that found plenty of success in the NBA: Nash, Bird, Duncan, Doncic, Dirk, Paul Pierce, Jokic, Brook Lopez, Yao, Zach Randolph, Naz Reid, Giddey, etc. There are also plenty of guys with insane athleticism that just didn't take advantage of it and/or didn't know how to play: Terrance Ferguson, James White, Shannon Brown, Hamidou Diallo, Jeremy Evans, Fred Jones, Harold Miner, Isaiah Rider, Jericho Sims, etc. Athleticism is great, but it's not more important than what's between the ears.

[@irvchilichill1]

Man Luka 6'7 shifty and crafty along with knocking down tough ass shots with no athleticism. Topic ain't NOWHERE and will NEVER be mentioned in Luka category once he hits an NBA floor. Dude likely to not see a 2nd contract. He's an oversees stash project tbh. And they mocked this dude Top 5 lotto? He is a huge reason why this draft is seen as WEAK af. You see a franchise type player in Topic? Seriously. Top 5 is franchise caliber player. I wouldn't pick this dude in a rec game. Real talk.

[@JayDee-b5u]

@@irvchilichill1 These GM's and scouts seem to have a totally different approach to scouting than you or I. I wouldn't draft this player in any draft. The wrong players are being hyped.

[@jaydenpollocks8421]

one issue, he doesnt have a left hand finish

[@luigillio1861]

He cant blow by players in the nba casuals thinking that this kid will go top 10 pick doesn't know sht abt how scouting and draft works lol

[@T-Head.5]

Need him on the Jazz

[@chrisbaldock5785]

forget about the knee injury, i honestly think there are better ball handlers already in the draft. castle, dillingham, sheppard, etc.

[@edwardherring9640]

Ok? But are they better prospects?

[@chriskeesee7508]

What leads you to believe that? Can’t be assist numbers

[@chrisbaldock5785]

@@chriskeesee7508 castles defense makes him a better prospect.

[@chrisbaldock5785]

@@edwardherring9640 castle is for sure a better prospect

[@ericperales4505]

​@@chrisbaldock5785overrated dejounte murray 2.0 with a worst shot 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️murray is quicker and better pg at his age and wasn't lottery pick 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️ everybody hoping for kawhi but yall dreaming 😴

[@juicejuice5013]

I see him on the Spurs like a Manu type player

[@recognizelife8397]

Effort on defense is on the opposite end of the spectrum.

[@j-us-t_be-in-g]

I can see why he's injuring himself. The way he playing hurts to watch...contorting his body in weird ways...forcing himself to turn at odd angles. Does he has a jumper?! If I'm the NBA playing against him...I'm shutting the lanes down and forcing him to shoot jumpers until he can prove that he can beat me other than penetrating to the basket. These defenses are overreacting to his drive when he's not proving to them that he can shoot.

[@lmlHTown1994]

Good observation. Mechanics really do matter. Look at Zion Williamson!?!!!

[@sclom5676]

The problem with just staying in the paint against him is that you can manufacture spacing by using him in 2 man actions with shooters. essentially if you have a shooter that can go off of movement, then you can't reliably fight over a handoff, so you need to bring a second defender up to the level of the action, hence how golden state isn't hurt too badly by running 2 non-shooters in their offense, they abuse this. So even if his shooting isn't great he can still be a pretty good creator on offense, not to mention I have a pretty good feeling it's gonna end up well for reasons already stated in the video. My reservations for him as a prospect comes from the injury problems, as you talked about, though the injury risk from his playstyle is a bit overblown, keep in mind that was a reel of the finishes that showed off his craftiness, if a finish was normal it wouldn't be shown. His defense also gives me pause, if I'm putting a negative defensively out there, it's gonna take a lot from him on offense to break even, much less contribute at a championship level. I do think that the Thunder are his ideal landing spot tho, no pressure to come back quickly, he won't be relied on early even once he does come back, but if he plays well he will have a spot open for him, and if anyone has the defenders to be able to hide him, it's them

[@Berto-gm1eg]

At 18 and already injured ACL, no wonder he fell in the 2024 ranking.

[@Reardon.]

that acl injury gonna drop him out of the lottery

[@xDaPrincex]

DeRozan got 3's, Layups, Dunk's & mid range so a player like him would be great 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@earlsanityhoops1423]

Technically he is a 6'7" Dragic.

[@808Czar]

Another Ricky Rubio?

[@beckyhenson6459]

Thunder fan here, 😞

[@gervicricafranca]

Okc

[@xDaPrincex]

Son got no jump shot, he the overseas version of Rondo before he had a jump shot

[@arkhamnights]

You can't just gloss over injury concerns in regard to a poor shooter and awful defender and someone with at best mid athleticism. Like we have seen thus play out before and it rarely ever works out. Not even Ricky rubio was able to overcome poor shooting and he was a excellent defender. But injuries killed his momentum pretty much at every turn. No thanks. I don't even think he is eve as good as Ricky was around the same time frame. Ricky was a better and quicker athlete playing against better competition and he still had trouble coming into the league...again being a better defender but worse finisher around the rim. But that also might be due to the level competition Ricky always faced. I don't think he ever faced competition as bad as Nikola has. Topic is a pass and to be fair I was never that high on him and the fact that people just gloss over his red flags just to prop him up is silly. Even with the major neon/code red flag injury history he has a lot to work on and is kind of project-y though with an enticing upside. Better prospects that I would just flat out take ahead of him in the top 10. After that sure whatever.

[@Andrewchou0613]

Seems like he can only finish at the rim with his right hand, not a good sign imo

[@diogoiki6317]

Not so sure... can't shoot and already with bad knees? Teams that can take the risk its a good shot

[@lmlHTown1994]

I see talent, but I also see uncertain of movement, which concerns me. Maybe he just hasn’t quite grown into his body yet…

[@Dirty_deuce1906]

6’6” TJ McConnell

[@chriskeesee7508]

That’s probably an all-star

[@Dirty_deuce1906]

@@chriskeesee7508 Possibly. Or could just be another tall backup foreign guard like Tomas Satoransky

[@noclippablo]

Simple man. My team drafts. I look for hoop intellect video

[@j-us-t_be-in-g]

It isn't just his foot speed on defense. Look at his defensive stance...he's almost completely standing up. Lol. He looks like he has NO clue what he's doing on defense. He's too reactive on defense...not discipline enough.

[@weaxeI]

Partially torn acl might make him fall 👀

[@romelominga1980]

Bruh

[@kaffe469]

Hope spurs draft him

[@KyleKennedy-bb7fr]

If his name is nikola draft him

[@ryandunphy1603]

He’s going to have to learn to stay of the ground. He falls down every 3rd layup

[@JayDee-b5u]

I just don't see it.

[@jasohn210]

Most of his shots are driving to his right side. When he does drive left he passes it up. His left hand kind of reminds me of Jaylen Brown's left hand. non existent.

[@TheCosmicLion]

The more I see of Topic. The less im excited for him. Non athletic PG without a 3pt shot with injury problems already at 18yo. Definitely not a top 5. Gimme Reed or Dillingham at #3

[@Bristaps]

Dragic ended up being pretty good, kind of reminds me of him. The non-athleticism is fine as long as you have great IQ and footwork. Good height too. Just needs to work on that 3 and defense more, he will be a pretty good player.

[@ericperales4505]

We drafting both rob dillingham and nikola topic at 8 if he there 😅

[@mattao313]

​@@Bristapsyoung dragic was athletic tho Topic is another Jeremy Lin.

[@Zemlja_je_ravna]

You can't expect 18'y olds to be super athletic, you watch the potential of his body to build muscles, and he has good frame to be bulky.

[@HeHe-zx2ei]

@@Zemlja_je_ravnayes you can 18 ye olds should be the most athletic coming into the league verically

[@brockycool8354]

his animations look so weird idk if they will translate to the nba

[@brodiestephens419]

You mean translate to NBA 2K?? 😅😅 They're only called "animations" in video games bro. 😅😅

[@brockycool8354]

@@brodiestephens419 in nba culture we call their mannerisms and movements “animations” as a joke or reference to 2k. you look old so it makes sense you don’t know yet

[@jaybrown7811]

He'll slip to Denver or Boston

[@BloomsArchitect]

Under the rim guard that can't shoot, no iso dribble game, but true PNR mastery. So pretty much Andre Miller?

[@jamardalton3526]

Spurs taking him 4th

[@GiverOfEnergy]

Shorter Josh Giddey

[@irvchilichill1]

Dude is actually B league talent on film. I wouldn't pick him for nothing. He's not even above-avg at any particular skill when watching his game.. And this dude is projected at 4? Spurs are NOT taking this dude and that was before the injury. RC Buford is no fool. This dude will be the biggest slider in the draft if you really analyze his game and project his play. Straight line drive (no wiggle at all), below the rim finisher, who doesn't have tight handles, no runner jumper and no real court vision. 30% from deep on the year and his shooting mechanics is a push shot. All this against REC league talent and he doesn't dominate or even stand out in his own highlight tape. Man, hard pass. I would take Devin Carter, Bub Carrington over this dude all day! Topic is mid 2nd round talent. Im taking Bronny over this dude. Buyer beware. Gms lose jobs for picks like him.

[@stefanvitas1938]

this a professional league bum higher then any college comp

[@luigillio1861]

And casual comparing this kid to luka doncic 😂😅 topic cant shoot

[@brockycool8354]

his jumper broke LMAO

[@mattao313]

Jeremy Lin 2.0

[@BSH_0822]

too weak right side