Nikola Topic Offers Top Point Guard Option | 2024 NBA Draft

In this edition of the Heat Check NBA Draft series, we'll break down Serbian point guard Nikola Topic, who wowed overseas despite two late knee injuries.
Contents of this video:
0:00 - Nikola Topic Breakdown
0:50 - Heat Check Explanation
1:23 - Athleticism
2:09 - Scoring
3:44 - Defense
4:44 - Passing/Playmaking
5:55 - Overall Feel
6:35 - Shooting
7:43 - The Grade

[@bf12344]

Love your videos, but I have one suggestion. Could you start including a ranking of the prospects you've scouted at the end now though? The final grade is awesome, but I'd like to see how Topic's grade compares to the other prospects on your board.

[@derek-parker]

Appreciate the feedback! Will work on that.

[@-KFAD-]

@@derek-parker This would be great! Another suggestion to a similar fashion: You grade 6 areas of the game. But the total score often doesn't fully reflect the previous grading and feels...a bit ambiguous. I feel you should use the heat scores to formulate the mathematical total score instead. 6 categories, max 5 points from each. Max 30 points. 30p = 10. 25p = 9. 20p = 8. 15p = 7. 10p = 6. etc...or something along those lines. With this logic Topic would have received a score of 7.8 (19 heat points). E.g. Dillingham got 20 points from you but a worse score at 8.3. Castle got same amount of heat points as Topic (19) but substantially worse score (7.8). I do agree that Topic most likely lands a higher spot in draft and has a higher upside. But somehow that should be reflected in heat points. Maybe a new category called "Transferability" (how likely the skills translate to NBA) or something along those lines...

[@jeremyking9442]

I love this series

[@behindthearcyt]

Big fan of topic as a prospect big believer he will become an above average 3 point shooter in time. Love his fit with the spurs him,wemby, and vassell would be a great big fit 3 all of them would compliment each other skillsets.

[@michaelmcphee2006]

Shooting is just so important at that position in the NBA. It's got me flip flopping on Topic.

[@ronaldrenearmstrong9872]

There will be another combine for players who missed combine in Chiago, Spurs will be watching Topic closely.

[@alexchoi2060]

As a Wiz fan, I would rather take Castle at PG. Topic reminds me of a bigger Goran Dragic. Can he get downhill on NBA athletes? Is he going to be hunted on D? If the Wiz trade with San Antonio (E.g. 2 for 4 and 8), I could live with Topic as one of the picks, but would look at Holland first.

[@petersajery6916]

That’s the same question they had about Luka . It’s worth the reward . Are you a wizards or spurs fan

[@denzel8827]

@@petersajery6916do not compare luka to this guy it’s not even close

[@timboslice8559]

If he’s a bigger Goran Dragic like you say then yes he get downhill on NBA athletes lol. Most ppl see a bigger Tony Parker in Topic and I see it as well

[@JFitz626]

@@timboslice8559bigger Goran Dragic is a piece I want on my team for sure 😂 he said that like it’s a bad thing lol dude was all nba and an all star

[@Kirubhas_Shankar]

Welcome to OKC

[@kristianpomida8259]

if i was the spurs FO, i wouldnt draft anyone who needs the ball 95 percent of the time who makes everyone around him a jumpshooter when i have a 7 foot alien with freakish talent

[@jumangeez4255]

What if anything makes Topic a higher ceiling than Josh Giddy?

[@smoothhoops3739]

Topic is a way better finisher and has a quicker first step

[@johnchristensen9826]

Wizard's and spurs need the kid

[@kristianpomida8259]

ah yes. kendall marshall 2.0

[@jpsatre]

First!

[@Daniel_Capital]

A PG who can't shoot, play defense, and a minus athlete. If this was 1989 he could get by with his passing but now that's very shaky top 5 pick. Can you say Ricky Rubio

[@leochavarria8330]

Castle is better !

[@fastingmanalive6380]

Just not seeing it with Topic. Looks like an average player to me.

[@peanuthead5730]

Hes extremwly average average not athletic at all