2024 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Spurs find point guard, Raptors keep lottery selection

5. San Antonio Spurs take Nikola Topic

The Spurs have been successful in drafting international prospects, and this class is loaded with them. Three of the top-five selections could be from outside the United States. San Antonio desperately needs a point guard to get Victor Wembanyama some easy buckets, and fans should expect them to target one here.

Topic has not played since January because of a knee injury, but he displayed plenty in his 19 games this season. The 6’6 point guard played so well for KK Mega Bemax that KK Crvena Zvezda recalled his loan and wanted him to play EuroLeague minutes. Topic was injured after just three games, but the 18-year-old is expected to be full-go for summer league.

San Antonio would get arguably the best playmaker in this class and a point guard with size and scoring upside. He put up 16.4 points, 6.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 30.8 minutes per game combined between the two teams this season. Topic will need time to develop, but he could be the team’s starter for a decade-plus.

The 6’6 guard shot just 28.2 percent on his 78 3-point attempts this season. There was some optimism after making 36.9 percent in the 2022-23 campaign, but his jumper remains inconsistent. It is his biggest knock, but questionable shooting has never stopped the Spurs.