And-Ones: Topic, Draft, Free Throws, Pangos, Pistons, Knicks

Projected top-10 2024 draft prospect Nikola Topic was called back to EuroLeague squad Red Star after spending the 2023/24 season so far with Mega MIS on a loan. Topic spoke to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony about the move and what it means for his draft value in an Insider-only story.

“It’s a huge risk, but I’m ready,” Topic said of the move. “I’m confident in myself 100%. My father, my agent Misko Raznatovic and I understand that this move could affect my draft chances if I don’t do well. But I’m ready to compete and fight.”

According to Givony, Topic replaces former NBA player Shabazz Napier, who departed for Milan, and will get a chance to play alongside former NBA guards Milos Teodosic and Nemanja Nedovic. The decision to join Red Star was ultimately Topic’s, who Givony writes courted him heavily in recent weeks, and he’ll try to help his hometown squad overcome a 6-10 start to the year.

Greek coach Giannis Sfairopoulos, who coached Deni Avdija, will coach Topic.

“We didn’t talk about the role I’ll play,” Topic said. “Whatever he says I’ll do. If he says to die on the court, I will die. Whatever coach needs, I’ll try my best to do it.”

Topic has been impressive in Adriatic League play with Mega MIS so far this year, averaging 18.6 points, 6.9 assists and boasting a 63% true shooting percentage. According to Givony, NBA teams will be keeping a close eye on how Topic adjusts to EuroLeague, which is considered the top level of competition in the world outside of the NBA.

Givony further breaks down Topic’s game (Insider link), writing that he’ll almost certainly be asked to adjust his play for a Red Star team ranked last in the league in pace. However, Givony expects the experience will positively benefit Topic’s defense and perimeter shooting.

“Basketball is a game of decisions,” Topic said. “It’s a mental game. Using angles. The player that makes a faster decision, that person will win. The EuroLeague is a mind game. It’s a game of reads.”

We have more notes from around the basketball world:

• In the same Insider-only story, Givony and Jeremy Woo break down other draft-related topics. Givony and Woo write that part of the perception that this draft class is weaker is that the 2024 class looks to end up being older than most, with a chance to boast the oldest first round class since 2013. Upperclassmen like Zach Edey, Kevin McCullar and Oso Ighodaro are all playing their ways into first-round consideration while freshmen like Elmarko Jackson, Aday Mara and Caleb Foster are looking more like multi-year college players rather than the one-and-dones they looked to be before the season, the pair writes.
• NBA coaches and players have made their thoughts on how the game is being called this season well known, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr among the latest to criticize officiating this season. The Ringer’s Zach Kram argues the NBA doesn’t actually have a free-throw problem though, writing free throw attempts and rates are all trending downward. Kram singles out Joel Embiid as someone who’s receiving criticism for going for foul calls, but points out that Embiid leads the league in made field goals per game. Kram concludes that foul calls will always be a cat-and-mouse game for the NBA, as players will seek to push the boundaries to get free points and the league will continually react.
• Former NBA guard Kevin Pangos is joining Spanish club Valencia after terminating his contract with Olimpia Milano, according to Sportando. Pangos has previously played for Gran Canaria and Barcelona in Spain. The 6’2″ point guard played one season in the NBA in 2021/22, appearing in 24 games (three starts) and totaling 39 points and 30 assists for the Cavaliers.
• The Feb. 26 game between the Pistons and Knicks has been relocated to Madison Square Garden in New York from Detroit and will now tip at 7:30 p.m. ET, according to a release from the NBA (Twitter link). “The cause for the change was unique scheduling complications associated with the In-Season Tournament,” the statement reads. Fred Katz of the Athletic tweets the Pistons’ 2-28 start likely factored into the decision, as they’ll now end up with 42 road games rather than the Knicks, who would have had 42 road games and 40 home games as a playoff competitor before the adjustment.