Thunder Make Brutal Decision to Save $60 Million as 21-Year-Old’s Future Takes Drastic Turn After Cancer Battle and ACL Surgery

Oklahoma City has spent the past few months making difficult financial choices as it tries to keep its championship core together. The Thunder already shed Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe in a series of moves that reportedly cut their projected payroll and luxury tax obligations by nearly $200 million. Now, another decision has added to those savings, although this one comes with a much more personal cost. Nikola Topic is the latest casualty of Oklahoma City’s brutal financial strategy. The decision was part of a larger set of contract moves announced Sunday.