A crazy week of moves for the Milwaukee Bucks may see rookie Bogoljub Markovic be on the roster earlier than initially expected.
It was a surprising move when the Bucks took the Serbian forward with the 47th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Initial reports suggested he would remain in Europe for one more season, but with recent roster moves, he may get the chance to be a part of the Bucks entering the 2025-26 season, something Eric Nehm of The Athletic (subscription required) reports Markovic wants.
Markovic wants to be on the Bucks, the team may grant him his wish
There is plenty to like about the 6-foot-11 smooth stretch four. He hit 41 percent of his 3-pointers for Mega Basket in the Adriatic League last season, shooting 77 percent from the free throw line and converting 60 percent of his shots at the rim. Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, he is almost the perfect fit with his touch around the rim and ability to score from anywhere on the court.
Milwaukee has depth at the five with the addition of Myles Turner to go alongside the re-signings of Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims. Behind Giannis at the four, there isn't the depth in quality, and that may open the door for Markovic to earn a spot on the roster. The Bucks announced their Summer League roster on Thursday, with Markovic and Tyler Smith both listed, potentially giving Bucks fans a look into the duel for the future stretch four.
One area that Markovic has to work on is his defense and athleticism. He weighs just 190 lbs, so muscle needs to be added for him to stick in the NBA. However, Turner and Sims are both very athletic and versatile defenders. If Markovic gets playing time with the Milwaukee Bucks, they can help cover for any lapses that he may suffer.
Yahoo Sports analyst Kevin O'Connor compared the Serbian to Santi Aldama, and although not a particularly close comparison, there are similarities in their games. The Spaniard just earned a three-year $52.5 million extension with the Memphis Grizzlies. If Markovic can reach that level, the Bucks really will have a gem on their hands.
We will get a chance to see Markovic in action with some of his Bucks teammates over the coming weeks, but he may also be called up to the Serbian National Team for EuroBasket in late August.
There are plenty of positives with Markovic. He has a very high ceiling; he is a modern stretch four, and his offensive skillset is well-refined already. That said, he is far from the finished article, and if the Milwaukee Bucks don't think he can help this season, then he will likely play in Europe for another year.
A good Summer League with Smith also involved could easily throw his hat in the ring of being named to the roster, as there are spots open despite recent moves.