2024 Draft Prospect: Nikola Topic

[JustBuzzin]

Similar to our C dilemma, I don’t care that we have LaMelo. We need ball handling, playmaking and talent on the roster. If Topic offers that and is BPA, the dumbest reason ever to not take him is because we have a PG already. You need more than one and two ball handlers that are elite at playmaking can absolutely share the ball.

Last time we made and won playoff games, our two best players were both point guards lol.

Knee injury concerns my man.

I'm fine with Topic, but I can't ignore his knee concerns. He helps as another playmaker but so does Castle.

If both are on the board give me the healthier Castle.

[Rich4114]

Similar to our C dilemma, I don’t care that we have LaMelo. We need ball handling, playmaking and talent on the roster. If Topic offers that and is BPA, the dumbest reason ever to not take him is because we have a PG already. You need more than one and two ball handlers that are elite at playmaking can absolutely share the ball.

Last time we made and won playoff games, our two best players were both point guards lol.

Knee injury concerns my man.

I'm fine with Topic, but I can't ignore his knee concerns. He helps as another playmaker but so does Castle.

If both are on the board give me the healthier Castle.

I haven’t paid attention to his injury. Is it anything serious? I thought he just sprained it?

[JustBuzzin]

Similar to our C dilemma, I don’t care that we have LaMelo. We need ball handling, playmaking and talent on the roster. If Topic offers that and is BPA, the dumbest reason ever to not take him is because we have a PG already. You need more than one and two ball handlers that are elite at playmaking can absolutely share the ball.

Last time we made and won playoff games, our two best players were both point guards lol.

Knee injury concerns my man.

I'm fine with Topic, but I can't ignore his knee concerns. He helps as another playmaker but so does Castle.

If both are on the board give me the healthier Castle.

I haven’t paid attention to his injury. Is it anything serious? I thought he just sprained it?

He's injured it 2 times in one season. There are reports he might need surgery but he's holding off until after the draft.

None of us know for sure, but that rumor is out there nonetheless.

[MasterIchiro]

Knee injury concerns my man.

I'm fine with Topic, but I can't ignore his knee concerns. He helps as another playmaker but so does Castle.

If both are on the board give me the healthier Castle.

I haven’t paid attention to his injury. Is it anything serious? I thought he just sprained it?

He's injured it 2 times in one season. There are reports he might need surgery but he's holding off until after the draft.

None of us know for sure, but that rumor is out there nonetheless.

I don't see anyone advocating taking him regardless of the result of Hornets review of his medical records. I think his supporters' (myself included) preferences are based on his game.

Any of these players could have something pop up on their records fans don't know about.

[luciano-davidwesley]

Knee issues can be scarry. Lonzo Ball just missed two and a half season with what was initially a torn meniscus.

If it was an anlke I would not be worried, but a knee is different. He should withdraw from the draft so he can prove it is right.

As we would have to pick him without ever seeing him return to form, I would pass.

Lol why would he withdraw from a draft he's almost a certain lock to go top 10 in at worst case scenario? Seriously guys.

[luciano-davidwesley]

Similar to our C dilemma, I don’t care that we have LaMelo. We need ball handling, playmaking and talent on the roster. If Topic offers that and is BPA, the dumbest reason ever to not take him is because we have a PG already. You need more than one and two ball handlers that are elite at playmaking can absolutely share the ball.

Last time we made and won playoff games, our two best players were both point guards lol.

This times 1 million.

Just to reiterate. Draft talent/BPA. Trades are for fit.

[luciano-davidwesley]

Similar to our C dilemma, I don’t care that we have LaMelo. We need ball handling, playmaking and talent on the roster. If Topic offers that and is BPA, the dumbest reason ever to not take him is because we have a PG already. You need more than one and two ball handlers that are elite at playmaking can absolutely share the ball.

Last time we made and won playoff games, our two best players were both point guards lol.

Knee injury concerns my man.

I'm fine with Topic, but I can't ignore his knee concerns. He helps as another playmaker but so does Castle.

If both are on the board give me the healthier Castle.

I haven’t paid attention to his injury. Is it anything serious? I thought he just sprained it?

This is all pure speculation based on him injuring it previously earlier this season.

[Snidely FC]

It’s a Catch 22 problem he only drops if his knee is bad enough for him to drop

[GoBobs]

Knee issues can be scarry. Lonzo Ball just missed two and a half season with what was initially a torn meniscus.

If it was an anlke I would not be worried, but a knee is different. He should withdraw from the draft so he can prove it is right.

As we would have to pick him without ever seeing him return to form, I would pass.

Lol why would he withdraw from a draft he's almost a certain lock to go top 10 in at worst case scenario? Seriously guys.

That is proably what Cam Whitmore thought as well.

[luciano-davidwesley]

Knee issues can be scarry. Lonzo Ball just missed two and a half season with what was initially a torn meniscus.

If it was an anlke I would not be worried, but a knee is different. He should withdraw from the draft so he can prove it is right.

As we would have to pick him without ever seeing him return to form, I would pass.

Lol why would he withdraw from a draft he's almost a certain lock to go top 10 in at worst case scenario? Seriously guys.

That is proably what Cam Whitmore thought as well.

If his knee is bad his stock would be even worse next year, particularly in a supposed stronger draft and he misses extensive time injured. It makes no sense whatsoever for him to withdraw from this year's draft.

[GoBobs]

Lol why would he withdraw from a draft he's almost a certain lock to go top 10 in at worst case scenario? Seriously guys.

That is proably what Cam Whitmore thought as well.

If his knee is bad his stock would be even worse next year, particularly in a supposed stronger draft and he misses extensive time injured. It makes no sense whatsoever for him to withdraw from this year's draft.

Okay, maybe you are right. I still don't want to pick him unless I see him play and he looks as good as he did preinjury. That goes for anybody with a knee problem.

[JMAC3]

Read on Twitter

Definitely going to cause him to drop some, tough break for him.

[JustBuzzin]

Yeah he's dropping for sure.

[EmpireFalls]

Damnit I wanted him to go top 5.

[Bassman]

As I said previously….RUN AWAY!!! If we were picking much lower in the lottery and were just a PG away, maybe take a chance.

[fatlever]

i was on the fence, now i'm out

[JMAC3]

Yeah I am not sure what the timetable looks like...
A good amount of people think he is #1 or #2 prospect in this class, so I am not sure I am completely out by any means.

Spurs going to get him at #8 and look like geniuses in a few years.

[Snidely FC]

this is a double whammy as it not only exponentially heightens risk if Hornets want Topic at 6 but also almost surely means that one of the players who previously would have been available at 6 (Holland Castle Buzelis Sheppard Williams) will now be heading to San Antonio at 4

just a real bummer

[amcoolio]

I just don't think he's good enough to warrant drafting and waiting a year. If he was like a projected #1 overall, Ben Simmons level prospect (coming out of college) then yes, sure.

That said, there's very few prospects in this draft that would make our rotation next year (Sarr, ZR, Sheppard, Edey and Clingan are the only ones that would play if we were healthy), and our rotation is one of the worst in the NBA, that's how sad this draft is. So it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world

[JDR720]

Don't touch this guy with a 50 foot stick. Two knee injuries and a torn ACL before he's even 19? Pass.