The 2025 NBA Draft featured yet another bold selection by the Milwaukee Bucks, with them taking Serbian forward Bogoljub Markovic with the 47th pick. To have a successful NBA career, he needs to overcome his defensive flaws.
All signs pointed towards the Bucks selecting an experienced college guard to address the lack of backcourt depth on the roster, but Jon Horst once again went off the beaten path with a draft pick. There is a lot to like about Markovic, but defense will be key to determining the length and success of his career in the NBA and how soon he can play with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Markovic's defensive growth will determine his success as a player
At 6-foot-11, Markovic is a smooth stretch four, hitting 41 percent of his shots from deep last season. Adding another shooter around Giannis Antetokounmpo is the recipe for the Bucks. Markovic could be the long-term replacement for Brook Lopez, with his future in Milwaukee in doubt. Offense is already a strong suit for the Serbian, with him being a 77 percent shooter from the free throw line and converting 60 percent of his shots at the rim.
However, he is similar to Lopez in terms of his athleticism, particularly on the defensive end. His foot speed is that of a lot of European big men who come over, allowing him to be exposed on the perimeter when switched onto smaller guards and forwards. Transition defense is also not a strength of his, as he can find himself left behind by opposing players.
Markovic could be a hidden gem in this draft class, with some analysts believing he was a first-round pick on their big board. He is effective in the pick-and-roll with a nice touch at the rim, and he has plenty of pedigree and experience in men's basketball, playing in the Adriatic League. Defense is the absolute key for him to work on; that is the ultimate determiner of whether this pick is successful or if he goes down as one of many poor draft picks by Milwaukee.
The 2024 first-round pick of AJ Johnson was a strange one at the time, with the team looking for NBA-ready guys on the roster. Markovic is a similar pick, with reports now suggesting the Bucks will possibly stash him in Europe for the next season.
We have seen plenty of draft picks come and go in Milwaukee, whether down to poor draft selection or the development staff on the Bucks not being able to help players, so maybe Markovic playing overseas for a year would stand him in good stead? Time will tell.
There is a lot to like about Markovic. He has a great offensive skill set and has a very high ceiling as a stretch big in the NBA. It is a risk for the Bucks, but there is a certain Serbian who was taken in the second round that has gone on to have a pretty good career in Denver. If Markovic is half as good, the Milwaukee Bucks might have a gem on their hands.
It all starts with defensive improvement.