After being redshirted for the entirety of 2024-25 due to a torn ACL and, once cleared for action, showing out during this year's NBA Summer League, OKC Thunder fans are now champing at the bit as they await the debut campaign of guard Nikola Topic.
Considering he was a lottery-selected talent in the 2024 NBA Draft that many believe would have been a top-five selection had he been a part of the 2025 class, the excitement surrounding his arrival to the rotation is understandable.
However, although the belief is that Topic is a talent with the potential to eventually thrive in the association and, specifically, within this Thunder scheme, expectations for him being able to make a notable difference in year one should be severely tempered.