Washington Wizards Draft Prospects: Guard Nikola Topic

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Wizards
By Gage Sheets | Last updated 1/26/24

The dismissal of Washington Wizards Head Coach Wes Unseld Jr. shows how bad this season has gotten.

Now sitting at an abysmal record of 7-37 the Wizards have the second-best odds of landing the number one overall pick in the NBA draft.

After looking at Perth Wildcats center Alexandre Sarr and Colorado Buffaloes forward Cody Williams the last two weeks, today we take a turn at the Serbian guard Nikola Topic.

This season in the Serbian ABA league Topic is averaging 16.3 points on 49 percent shooting along with 6.1 assist and 3.5 rebounds.

The 18-year-old guard has plenty of size standing at 6'6" and weighing in at 201 pounds.

He is extremely raw however, especially when it comes to shooting.

Topic is shooting a measly 28 percent from three-point range and takes over four shots from three a game.

In the NBA you need to be able to shoot, it will be very hard for Topic to have a long NBA career if he doesn't improve.

He has a great first step and can drive to the rim but when he gets to the league the athletes are much better and will be able to stay in front of him.

Topic's profile fits somewhat of a Ricky Rubio type ceiling, pass first point guard.

He has a great passer and makes everyone around him a better scorer.

The ball handling isn't great but he does have a low turnover rate so he won't kill anyone in that way.

With him being mostly a liability on defense, if that is what you're drafting for, Topic isn't the guy.

It is going to be a struggle for Topic early in his career so if he does end up with Washington it will be important to stay patient and understand what he was drafted for.

You can follow Gage Sheets on X @SheetsG23

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This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Wizards and was syndicated with permission.

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