OKC Thunder decline Nikola Topic's 2027-28 team option

In a move that shouldn't surprise anybody, the Oklahoma City Thunder have made the long-term decisions on two NBA players. They announced on Sunday that they have declined Nikola Topic's $7.5 million team option for the 2027-28 season. While disappointed, the Thunder made the sound decision. They ha

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Sep 28, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topić (44) poses for a photo during Oklahoma City Thunder Media Day at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

In a move that shouldn't surprise anybody, the Oklahoma City Thunder have made the long-term decisions on two NBA players. They announced on Sunday that they have declined Nikola Topic's $7.5 million team option for the 2027-28 season.

While disappointed, the Thunder made the sound decision. They had until Monday, Nov. 2, to decide on Topic's 2027-28 team option. He barely has a visible NBA journey. In his third season, he's played in 10 regular-season games. Injuries and illness have completely derailed any career ambitions so far.

The Thunder added Topic with the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NBA draft. He missed the entire 2024-25 season with a torn ACL. That was expected. He sustained the serious knee injury in the predraft process. As it looked

like he was about to make his NBA debut, he was diagnosed with a scary, real-life sickness.

Topic was diagnosed with testicular cancer in Oct. 2025. He spent the next three months going through chemotherapy. He eventually made his NBA debut right before the 2026 NBA All-Star break. He logged 10 games and rode the bench the rest of the way.

Then, Topic had back surgery in June 2026. He's still working his way back. He's yet to suit up for OKC in the 2026-27 season. But with virtually zero sample size of real games, the Thunder couldn't afford him the luxury any longer. He's in his third season and is still trying to find his footing in the NBA.

I don't think that'll happen in OKC, unfortunately. With their payroll about to balloon for the rest of the decade, they can't afford his semi-expensive fourth year on his standard four-year, rookie-scale contract. Especially with no real games under his belt to build confidence that he can be a contributor.

We'll see if Topic plays the entire 2026-27 season on the Thunder. Now that he's set to be a free agent next summer, there's a decent chance OKC just moves on from him by the 2027 NBA trade deadline. He's a prime candidate to benefit from a fresh start.

Thunder PR:

The Thunder have picked up the 2027-28 team options for Jared McCain and Thomas Sorber pic.twitter.com/BbSlmDYRUk
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2026