I've watched some video of him and he's a blast to watch. He's not especially fast or athletic, but he can get a layup any time he wants and has GREAT finishing at the rim. He has great interior passing, too, which also helps as teams are rightly scared of him dumping off to a cutter as he penetrates. BUT: he can't shoot. He can't defend. And he doesn't do much off the ball. So he better be your starting point guard, and if he is, you've got yourself half a Jason Kidd. Or a taller Sergio Rodriguez. He's going to be a fan fave wherever he gets minutes, I bet.
Not sure Portland can gamble here at 14. Certainly not at 7. They have Sharpe and Scoot being young and needing to develop. Ant being young and still on the roster. Granted Brogdon only has this next season and should be gone by trade deadline but who knows. Portland needs talented bigs first and foremost with any talent they can find second. I would be good with Portland drafting Topic at 14 for another team as part of a trade down that moves a contract Portland does not need, gets a 2024 pick back and a future unprotected pick. Not for a future protected which is not needed.
What made Roy so great is that he was sneaky strong, had an amazing first step and could go to the left just as well as the right. He was Paul Pierce except ambidextrous.
His wingspan is not a selling point. It is 0.25” less than his height and more with shoes at around 6’7 … and even Jerryd Bayless had a positive wingspan (but was 4 inches shorter at 6’1.75”). At 14, it’s an easy call for me if the knee is back and good to go in Season 2. Take and keep him. By then, we’ll have a better idea about Scoot. At 7, it’s a reach by the Blazers. But at 6’5.75” … and with his current skills and abilities … I’m not against swinging away.
has their been an updated mock draft since Topic's agent submitted he has a knee injury? He was ranked in the top 4 before that headline surfaced
