OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma City Thunder will let guard Nikola Topic head toward free agency next summer after declining his $7.5 million team option for the 2027-28 season, while keeping two other young players under contract.
Oklahoma City did keep guard Jared McCain for a fourth year at $6.8 million and big man Thomas Sorber for a third year at $5.1 million. Turning down Topic’s option means the Serbian guard, the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Topic has had little chance to show what he can do. A torn ACL in his left knee cost him his whole rookie year. Doctors then found testicular cancer last October, and he wrapped up chemotherapy in January. He played 10 games last season and has not played this fall after back surgery in June.
The decision is largely about money. The team is working to hold together an expensive core, and passing on Topic’s option is projected to save the club around $60 million once tax costs are counted, in line with the cost-cutting the Thunder did over the summer.
The Thunder are 4-2 but short-handed, with Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren all out with injuries for an extended stretch. Topic remains on the roster for the rest of this season.
For Oklahoma City, the choice shows how the front office is weighing long-term salary against young talent. McCain and Sorber now have their deals locked in for at least another season, while Topic gets the rest of this year to get healthy and show other teams what he can do before he hits the open market next summer.
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