2024 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Spurs attack needs, Hornets make shock selection

8. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors) take Nikola Topic

The Spurs need a point guard. They were significantly better with Tre Jones running their offense this season, but the franchise does not view him as their long-term answer. Getting someone on the same timeline as Victor Wembanyama would be ideal.

Nikola Topic suffered multiple knee injuries this season and is currently dealing with a partially torn ACL. The 18-year-old will likely have surgery and miss the entire 2024-25 season.

Expect the injury to impact his stock, but San Antonio should not let him fall any further. Topic is the best point guard in this class. He averaged 14.5 points, 5.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 27.8 minutes per game over 23 contests this season. The teenager is a strong pick-and-roll ball-handler and playmaker at 6’6. The Spurs could create a plethora of ways to get Wemby open with Topic running the offense.

The Spurs must be willing to wait. Fans have seen Chet Holmgren, Joel Embiid, and other stars miss their first season with injury before becoming elite. Nikola Topic has that potential, and San Antonio is still building around Wembanyama. They could get a steal and two difference-makers in their backcourt if the talented point guard falls.