On June 30, Beijing time, the Thunder used the No. 12 pick in the first round to select Serbian point guard Topic after trading away Giddey this offseason. It's just that now Topeic suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and today's official response has confirmed that he will undergo anterior cruciate ligament repair surgery, which is the same as the 2022 list Holmgren who had a serious injury before landing in the NBA. Thunder GM Presti said that Topeic is expected to rest for a season due to injury, and the Thunder can apply for an injury exception worth around $5 million.
In the 2022 draft, the Thunder drafted Holmgren with the top pick, but he missed his first season due to an injury that resulted in a serious injury due to playing with James in the offseason. It wasn't until Holmgren's return last season that he ushered in his first season, and he also played extremely well, being named to the Rookie of the Year team.
The Thunder have now selected Serbian guard Topic with the No. 12 pick, and he has now confirmed in an interview that he will undergo anterior cruciate ligament repair surgery: "I'm grateful for the team's experience of Holmgren missing his rookie season due to injury, and I'm going to learn from that experience." I am grateful for the opportunities I have and I will do my best to be the best version of myself. ”
Topeic is an 18-year-old 1.98-meter-tall point guard whose template is believed to be Tony Parker/Goran Dragic/Satoranski. Last season in the Europa League, he averaged 18.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 3.2 turnovers in 33.8 minutes per game, shooting 52.3% from the field, 25.9% from three-point range and 85.5% from the free throw line.
Topeic is a young man, with excellent finishing ability and playmaking ability under the basket, and his disadvantage is that his three-point shooting is inconsistent, and he was considered to be selected to fill the vacancy of Giddey's departure, but he suffered an injury and was extremely tragic.