The Milwaukee Bucks surprised some people by taking Bogolijub Markovic in this year's draft. Many fans and pundits alike expected them to target a player more likely to help them win now. Markovic isn't that. In fact, he probably won't be a real contributor for some time. To reap the full benefit of his potential, the Bucks will have to wait patiently while he strengthens his game.
Rookie could be future gem, but the Bucks will have to let him percolate
Having turned 20 just last month, Markovic shouldn't be rushed to the NBA stage. The Bucks knew what they were getting when they penciled his name on the draft card. It was hardly a shocker when news broke that the Serbian forward will spend this season playing overseas, back with Mega Basket.
If Milwaukee was hoping for some unanticipated maturity, Markovic did not display it during Summer League. He wasn't bad once he found his footing in games three through five. The basis of an offensive game is there. Notwithstanding a 2-of-13 summer showing from deep, he has range. In the Adriatic League last season, he shot 37 percent on triple tries.
He also has a soft touch around the rim and a better handle than many players of his stature. His passing is still developing, but he has promise as a big-man facilitator.
But Markovic also showed some predictable flaws. Defensively, things are a bit shaky. Smaller guards had no problem blowing by him in Summer League, even when he had position. In order to handle fours and fives down low, he could stand to add some bulk to his frame. Some of that should come organically. Even with his natural lanky build, his strength will improve with physical maturity and weight-room reps.
Still, while growth is on the way, Markovic will likely take longer to peak than Milwaukee's 2024 draft picks of a similar age. Both AJ Johnson (No. 23) and Tyler Smith (No. 33) were young when drafted. They each received NBA minutes as Bucks rookies - sparingly, but playing time nonetheless. After being traded from Milwaukee, Johnson took advantage of the Wizards' rebuild to average 27 minutes per game.
Aside from being seven to eight months younger, Markovic is simply earlier along in his development, as might be expected of a later pick. He may also have a higher ceiling, though he has a lower floor as well, when all is said and done.
Jon Horst is known as something of a shot-taker in drafts, and the Markovic choice is no different. One perhaps underrated aspect of the move is that it gives the Bucks some future promise while missing the rights to their own first-round picks until 2031. Certainly, Markovic lacks the security or immediate impact of an actual first-rounder, but an upper-percentile outcome could see him cashing in equivalent upside down the road. It will just take some patience.