Top Draft Prospect Could Fall to Suns

The Phoenix Suns could have an opportunity to select a player widely seen as one of the best prospects in the 2024 NBA draft - due to an untimely injury.

Nikola Topic, a 6-foot-6 point guard from Serbia, recently suffered a partially torn ACL during the pre-draft process - and his status for what would be his rookie season appears to be tenuous at best.

As noted by The Athletic, Topic was a projected top ten pick who could now slide down the draft board:

Nikola Topić, a projected top-10 pick in the NBA Draft, partially tore his ACL, his agent Misko Raznatovic told ESPN.

Topić will travel to the United States and be evaluated by NBA team doctors, who will decide on his surgery and treatment plan ⤵️https://t.co/napFhKsV6n
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) June 6, 2024

Would this injury truly affect his draft stock that significantly, to the point where a team like the Suns could snag him at No. 22?

It's worth asking, as the ultimate prognosis could be key in determining his draft stock.

A full year-long process of recovery and rehab could prove too much for a team to commit to.

The debate of would the Suns even consider Topic with the 22nd pick is something to really think about.

Nikola Topic measured in with a 6’5.5” wingspan standing at 6’7”, per @DraftExpress (https://t.co/6sIXzNZ8WK).

Topic’s partially torn ACL suffered last month along with a sub-wingspan could lead to a slide in the lottery.

The long-rumored 7’ wingspan for Topic was way off. pic.twitter.com/muZbH6DFkl
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 6, 2024

While Topic does have a high ceiling and is already far along with the intangibles side of the game and as a passer, he has a ways to go elsewhere, including as a shooter.

The Suns would also have to resign the fact that at least a solid portion of his rookie season will be lost - and believe that the long-term upside is ultimately worth bringing on a rookie that is unable to slide into the lineup instanty.

Nikola Topic 🇷🇸 is on a breakout 2023-24 campaign, he had 21pts, 10ast & 2reb on 6/9 FG today against FMP. Topic is playing with tremendous poise as a primary ball-handler, getting to the rim against pressure and finding teammates on the move. Playing like a 1st round pick. pic.twitter.com/LfiIPHwvMZ
— Ignacio Rissotto (@eyreball) October 16, 2023

In a draft full of risks, Topic would likely be considered somewhere in between high risk and high reward.

He would almost certainly be a safer pick compared to USC's Bronny James, but wouldn't be as practical as one of the bevy of bigs the Suns could take with the pick.