![\"Nikola](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8962.jpeg\")
File photo\nThunder<\/p>\n
File photo
\nThunder<\/p>\n
The defending champs aren\u2019t expected to make many changes to their rotation, but one notable new face is turning heads in camp.<\/p>\n
Nikola Topic, the 2024 lottery pick who missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, has impressed teammates early on as he pushes for a spot in the regular rotation, per Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really stands out the way he sees the game,\u201d Chet Holmgren said of the Serbian guard. \u201cEven without the ball in his hands, the way he cuts and finds open space.<\/p>\n \u201cSees plays up ahead of him and gets the ball out of his hands early. It\u2019s impressive for a young guy, but that\u2019s what got him noticed in the first place \u2014 his ability to see and read the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Jaylin Williams echoed those sentiments, calling Topic a \u201cgreat passer, great facilitator\u201d who reads the floor at a high level.<\/p>\n All 12 players who averaged at least 16 minutes for the Thunder last season are back, and all but Kenrich Williams (knee) are healthy.<\/p>\n So cracking the regular rotation won\u2019t be easy, but Topic should get a real look during preseason action, which tips off Sunday.<\/p>\n Head coach Mark Daigneault said several of the team\u2019s top players didn\u2019t travel to South Carolina for the opener \u2014 giving Topic and other young players more room to shine.<\/p>\n Magic<\/p>\n The Magic are bringing in guard Johnell Davis on an Exhibit 10 contract, per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel<\/a>.<\/p>\n To make room, they waived Justin Minaya, who had also been on an Exhibit 10 deal.<\/p>\n Davis, undrafted in 2025, spent four years at Florida Atlantic and one at Arkansas. He averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in his lone season with the Razorbacks.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-4 guard appeared in three Summer League games for Orlando, posting modest numbers but showing enough to get a camp invite.<\/p>\n If waived, Davis could earn up to an $85,300 bonus by sticking with the Osceola Magic \u2014 the same arrangement Minaya will be eligible for if he stays in the G League for at least 60 days.<\/p>\n Mavericks<\/p>\n Dennis Smith Jr. is making a strong impression in Dallas. Coach Jason Kidd called Smith a camp standout and praised his \u201cenergy,\u201d according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journa<\/a>l.<\/p>\n Smith is on a non-guaranteed deal and faces an uphill climb to make the regular season roster, but he\u2019s doing what he can to stick around.<\/p>\n Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?<\/p>\n Be sure to follow Hoops Wire<\/a> on TWITTER<\/a>\u00a0and FACEBOOK<\/a>\u00a0for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!<\/p>\n