The Oklahoma City Thunder have chosen not to exercise the $7.4 million option on Nikola Topic for next season. The decision sets the 2024 lottery pick on course to become an unrestricted free agent.
ESPN reported the move. It said the Thunder also confirmed they would take up the options on the contracts of Jared McCain and Thomas Sorber.
Topic was the 12th selection in the 2024 NBA draft. Injuries and illness have badly disrupted his time in Oklahoma City, limiting him to 10 appearances across the past three seasons.
He was unavailable for the whole of his rookie campaign because of a knee injury sustained before the draft.
His second season was also heavily affected. During the preseason he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and he underwent a procedure to treat it in October 2025. He then had chemotherapy before working back to fitness.
Topic finally made his NBA debut on 12 February and featured in 10 games.
He now faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines. According to ESPN, he is still recovering from back surgery carried out this summer, and there is no timetable for his return.
The Thunder's decision means Topic is now heading towards unrestricted free agency.