Thunder Decline Nikola Topic's $7.4M Option After Injury-Ravaged Start

The Oklahoma City Thunder have declined to pick up the $7.4 million option on Nikola Topic's contract for next season, leaving the Serbian point guard set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The decision came ahead of the November 2 deadline, and the Thunder also confirmed they were picking up the options on Jared McCain and Thomas Sorber. Topic, the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, has endured a cruel start to his professional career. He missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury suffered before the draft, then missed a large chunk of last season after receiving a testicular cancer diagnosis during the preseason. He underwent a procedure in October 2025, completed chemotherapy, and finally made his NBA debut on February 12, appearing in 10 games in total. This summer brought another setback, with back surgery leaving him with no timetable to return. The Thunder's decision is therefore as much about roster mathematics as talent: Topic has barely been available, and the club must plan around players it can count on. It does not close the door on a return — Topic will be a free agent, and Oklahoma City could still bring him back — but it ends the security of his rookie-scale deal. For Topic, the focus now is simply getting healthy. His story has already inspired many, and at just 21, time remains on his side if his body finally allows him a proper run at the league.