OKC Thunder Decline Nikola Topic's Option, Pick Up McCain and Sorber

OKC Thunder Decline Nikola Topic’s Option, Pick Up McCain and Sorber

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The Oklahoma City Thunder announced a series of roster adjustments on Sunday night, picking up contract options for Jared McCain and Thomas Sorber while declining the fourth-year option for Nikola Topic.

The decisions arrive during a difficult stretch for the organization on the injury front. The team is currently managing active injuries to Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Topic, and Sorber, a wave of health setbacks that has coincided with back-to-back blowout losses, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

McCain and Sorber Secure Continued Roster Spots

Locking in the fourth-year option for McCain and the third-year option for Sorber proved straightforward for the front office. McCain has carved out a role as a dependable spark-plug guard playing alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the core, securing his place on a cost-controlled deal moving forward.

Sorber has yet to make his on-court debut for the franchise due to ongoing health hurdles, but that absence did not deter the team from keeping the young frontcourt contributor in the fold. Taken at No. 15 in the draft, Sorber missed the latter half of his freshman season at Georgetown with a foot injury before suffering an ACL tear prior to his scheduled debut in Oklahoma City. An offseason scope has kept him sidelined through the start of the 2026-27 campaign, though his positional fit and athletic profile give him room to grow.

The Decision to Move on From Nikola Topic

Declining the fourth-year option for Topic represents a notable shift in strategy for an organization accustomed to retaining rookies who arrived with immediate momentum. Drafted 12th overall in 2024, Topic entered the league as a long-term project after suffering a major knee injury during the pre-draft process.

OKC Thunder Decline Nikola Topic's Option, Pick Up McCain and Sorber
Photo: staging-aws.sports.yahoo.com

Professional setbacks compounded that initial slide. Beyond the knee injury, Topic faced a testicular cancer diagnosis—from which he successfully returned—followed by back surgery last offseason. Across three seasons, he has logged appearances in just 10 total games, averaging 5.2 points and 4.4 assists in 16.0 minutes per contest.

Financial Flexibility and Unrestricted Free Agency

With his option declined, Topic will enter unrestricted free agency at the end of the season, opening the door to negotiate with any interested franchise. Yahoo Sports noted in its coverage of the transactions that a return to Oklahoma City remains possible if both sides agree on a more cost-effective agreement, though league-wide suitors may still covet his pedigree as a former high-ranked prospect with distinct playmaking upside.

By declining the option, the Thunder also create financial flexibility. The franchise can reallocate the saved funds across the rest of the roster as the season progresses.

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