Nikola

Topić

After attempting six shots in his first summer appearance with the Thunder, Stirtz was more aggressive on Monday. Unfortunately, he shot 1-of-7 from beyond the arc in a rather forgettable effort. His chances of offering any fantasy value next season depend on injuries to Thunder guards ahead of him in the rotation. If Nikola Topić continues to struggle with health issues, that may be where Stirtz’s minutes come from during his rookie campaign.

Topić, who missed the entire 2024-25 season with a torn ACL, did not make his NBA debut until February 12 after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer. According to the Thunder, Saturday’s lumbar procedure was “minimally invasive.” While he will not participate in summer league, the second-year guard is expected to be a full go when training camp opens in late September. Topić’s chances of cracking the rotation depend on what happens in free agency, as Luguentz Dort has a team option for next season worth just over $17.7 million.

Topić got his second straight start, which allowed him to record his second straight double-double. Having been diagnosed with cancer in October, Topić miraculously made his NBA debut in February, but he played a limited role up until the last two games. He still has plenty of upside, and he’ll likely be in the rotation for OKC next season. However, he won’t see the floor much during the playoffs.

Dort, who needs to play in one more game to be eligible for postseason honors, is the lone starter available for Friday’s game. Of the four replacements, McCain and Wiggins offer the highest ceilings for those in active fantasy leagues.

Topić began chemotherapy treatments in late October after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. While he will be available to play on Monday, the rookie still does not have a return timeline for NBA games. Topić is unlikely to affect redraft leagues this season, but he should still be rostered in dynasty leagues.

Topic had to undergo a testicular procedure in the offseason, and Presti revealed that the procedure was a biopsy to determine if the 20-year-old had cancer. Unfortunately, the results came back that Topic was indeed dealing with testicular cancer. Topic has begun chemotherapy treatment, and Presti said that the medical team is confident that he will make a recovery. Obviously, there has been no discussion about his timeline to return to the court, and the main goal is simply to ensure his health and well-being.

Topić, who played 31 minutes in his preseason debut Sunday evening, underwent a testicular procedure on Monday. Unfortunately, the rookie, due to be part of the reigning champions’ bench rotation, will not be available when Oklahoma City opens its regular season. Given the reported timeline, there’s a chance Topić will be good to go before Thanksgiving. His absence likely means second-year guard Ajay Mitchell will have an opportunity to earn rotation minutes as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s backup. Mitchell would not be a draft-worthy player in most fantasy leagues. The 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Topić has yet to make his official NBA debut, as he missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

Topic missed all of his would-be rookie season in 2024-25 with an ACL tear, but he looked solid in Summer League and got off to a great start in the preseason. Oklahoma City is deep at multiple positions, so Topic’s path to meaningful minutes may be tough to navigate in 2025-26.

After firing up 18 shots on Thursday, Topić appeared more focused on making plays for others Saturday afternoon. The rookie dished out a game-high 10 assists while committing just three turnovers as Oklahoma City rolled to a 21-point victory. Having missed the 2024-25 season as he rehabbed from a torn ACL, Topić will look to earn opportunities off the bench with the reigning NBA champions. While he may not offer great value in redraft leagues, Topić will be well worth selecting in dynasty start-ups.

Oklahoma City is one of eight teams that played before arriving in Las Vegas, giving their players a head start on the competition. After committing eight turnovers in his final game in Salt Lake City, Topić got that number down to three on Thursday. The role he’s playing during the summer will likely differ from what he’s asked to do once the regular season begins due to Oklahoma City’s combination of depth and talent. But Topić can provide value off the bench as a rookie.