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Watch: OKC Thunder Lottery Pick Workout
Nikola Topic is pictured during the Thunder media day at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2024 NBA Draft Class was heavily criticized during this past draft cycle. Mainly, pundits poked at the lack of obvious star power in the 2024 group of prospects.

Perhaps a star is never born from the 2024 NBA Draft this past June, but with most of the class having completed its rookie season, it is clear the concerns were a bit overblown.

The 2024 NBA Draft has already seen plenty of key contributors step up and even some impacting winning right out of the gate.

There are still debuts we are waiting on. Noteably in Oklahoma City, No. 12 pick Nikola Topic. Before his second knee injury, Topic was viewed as a top five prospect in his class. His knee injury scared away some and left him tumbling to the Thunder.

OKC put together a historic regular season with him sidelined, winning 68 games and viewed as one of the top contenders to capture an NBA Championship this season.

It is an embarrassment of riches in Bricktown, but Topic will hit the court next season after a red shirt year if all goes well.

Before the start of Game 2 between the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder in their first round series, Topic went through a workout on the floor that gave us a glimpse at this potential gem.

This article first appeared on NBA Draft on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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