After spending the 2025-26 season overseas, Bogoljub Markovic looks ready to join the Milwaukee Bucks without further delay. He has bulked up, grown his game, and just took home the ABA MVP for Megabasket. Spending the 47th pick on the undeveloped Serbian forward in the 2025 draft finally looks like a smart investment.
It's time to put him on the floor whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo is still penciled into the power forward spot next season.
Markovic has played his way into Bucks opportunity next season
He clearly wasn't ready for the NBA when the Bucks drafted him. Summer League showed that much. Other players pushed him around on defense. He looked out of sorts on both ends of the floor.
Over the past year, however, Markovic has matured in a big way. While still quite stringy, his frame is noticeably more solid. He was named MVP of the Adriatic league after averaging 18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 24 games. Markovic led his team in scoring, rebounds, and efficiency rating.Â
He's earned another look from the Bucks.Â
Listed at 6-foot-11, 210 pounds, Markovic is best suited to play Giannis' position. That doesn't mean they can't share the court. Markovic is enough of a floor spacer and playmaker to fit the mold of a lanky small forward. With Giannis gone, Markovic would only have more opportunities to grow into his natural position.Â
NBA experience may be best tool to develop his tantalizing skill set
While he'll need to work on staying in front of ball handlers, Markovic compensates for his limitations with a strong basketball IQ. He also provides moderate rim protection (one block per game for Megabasket last season). That said, he does not profile as a true interior presence,
In theory, Markovic has upside as a help defender inside and a disruptive presence in passing lanes. His length should allow him to contest shots on the perimeter. It should also help him recover when ball handlers get by him, as Markovic can use his length to disrupt the shot from behind.Â
To hold up as a power forward in the NBA he would benefit from continuing to add bulk. Still only 20, he has time to mature physically.Â
The main attraction, of course, is his offense. Markovic has flashed decent playmaking potential for his position. Although he needs to be more efficient (he shot only 30.3 percent from three in '25-26), he can knock down catch-and-shoot looks. Honing his 3-point shot should be a point of emphasis in his NBA training. Off the bounce, Markovic is more than capable of creating his own shot.
Other than the guarantee of regular playing time, how much more he can benefit from overseas play is debatable. Keeping Giannis around could function as a roadblock to a future starting role, but either way, Markovic has earned a chance to compete for a roster spot next season. Bring him on over.Â
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