Thunder’s Lu Dort Excited About Rookie Nikola Topic’s Potential

Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma City Thunder are well-equipped for the upcoming NBA season with a mix of All-Stars and talented young players. Coach Mark Daigneault will introduce another promising prospect to the roster next season: Nikola Topic, a 2024 lottery pick.

Veteran guard Lu Dort expressed his confidence in Topic’s abilities during a recent press conference. “He’s been doing a lot of his recovery stuff, but you can just see the talent and how he’s so comfortable with the ball,” Dort said. Though Topic has not yet played in a game due to a partially torn ACL, Dort noted that the rookie has shown remarkable skills in practice.

Many fans and analysts praised Oklahoma City for selecting Topic as the twelfth overall pick in the NBA Draft last June. Prior to his injury, he was considered a potential top pick, and the Thunder capitalized on his availability.

As the Thunder prepare for potential postseason contention and a shot at the Larry O’Brien Trophy, they still face challenges. One significant area needing improvement is their offensive efficiency when star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is off the court. The team struggles, averaging just 114.8 points per 100 possessions during those moments.

Addressing this gap by adding a player who can effectively manage the offense is vital for General Manager Sam Presti. Topic, who averaged 6.9 assists per game last season, is viewed as a key player who could help enhance the Thunder’s offensive operations.