The Milwaukee Bucks' decision to draft Bogoljub Markovic was met with initial surprise because it felt like the team had opportunities to add players who could help soon rather than a project. That holds especially true at the point guard spot, where there were some good options left on the board. If the signing of Cole Anthony pans out, drafting Markovic will certainly look better in turn.
The Bucks need Cole Anthony to work out
It felt inevitable that the Milwaukee Bucks would retain both Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins, but the third point guard spot was much more uncertain. Many thought they could draft a player to learn and possibly even earn minutes behind those two, and the front office certainly had their opportunities, leaving some interesting names on the board.
In Summer League, Javon Small, picked immediately after Markovic, averaged 17 points, seven assists, 4.5 rebounds, and a steal per game as a Grizzly. Tyrese Proctor, who went two picks after Markovic, averaged 17.3 points, 3.8 assists, three rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game for Cleveland. These two looked like point guards who can make an impact sooner rather than later, even if it came via a small sample size.
That's largely because they came to the NBA experienced. Small, 22, spent four years in college. Proctor, 21, spent three years at Duke.
Markovic, 20, meanwhile, looked like a project, as expected. He averaged eight points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 16.1 minutes per game. The youngster appears to be a player who still requires a year or two of overseas experience to further develop his game before he's ready for the NBA. Prior to the signing of Cole Anthony, that sentiment stung a lot more.
If Anthony performs, Milwaukee Bucks fans won't be thinking about Proctor or Small while Markovic is likely away from the team. However, if Anthony struggles, Bucks fans could very well circle back to the decision to pass on a pair of experienced point guards who could have filled a needed roster void via the NBA Draft.
Taking a project player was certainly a bold swing by the Milwaukee Bucks, who have been in win-now mode for years now to maximize Giannis Antetokounmpo's prime. That is only amplified by all of the dead money on their books from waiving and stretching Damian Lillard, which did come after the team selected Markovic. Time will tell if the move ultimately pans out.
For Anthony to succeed, the Milwaukee Bucks need him to be a sparkplug every single time he touches the floor - and even on the sidelines as an energizer. His scoring, shooting, and passing could make a world of difference for this bench brigade. Of course, seeing how he holds up on the defensive end will also be crucial.
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