As the Milwaukee Bucks look to slim down their roster, the front office has made it clear they are embracing 2025 second-round pick Bogoljub Markovic following his strong season in Serbia. Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks have signed Markovic to a four-year, $9.3 million deal, including a team option in the final year. Notably, however, this takes the roster to 16 standard contracts, meaning that further moves are needed to comply with the 15-player limit.
Bucks are embracing Markovic
With so much going on last season and into the summer, it can be easy to forget the Bucks ever drafted Markovic before stashing him overseas. It's fair to say he vindicated the selection by winning the ABA League MVP and Top Prospect awards. On the season, the stretch big averaged 18.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on 51.2/28.9/82.5 shooting splits.
A four-year deal for a second-round pick after a draft-and-stash season isn't exactly a common move, showing the Bucks are bought in on the player Markovic can become. His basketball IQ is high and, although his 3-point shooting needs work, there is enough skill there to develop. As the Bucks embark on a rebuild, Markovic should fit in as a nice piece around their plethora of guards.
The big question mark over Markovic as a prospect centered on his slim frame and his potential struggles with physicality in the NBA. He has bulked up noticeably, however, and with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis gone, there are open seats in the frontcourt.
In recent years, the Bucks have cut ties early with many young players. This move indicates they believe Markovic will be different, and fans should be excited.
Milwaukee is about to take further action
Markovic's signing takes the Bucks up to 16 standard contracts, with Pete Nance also on the roster on a non-guaranteed deal. To comply with the 15-player limit, they'll have to find a way to bring that number down. While waiving a low-salary player would be an option, it's more likely that the front office will look to subtract via trade.
Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner are two of the bigger earners and have featured in trade rumors all offseason. Tyler Herro has only just arrived in his hometown and may be shipped off too, according to sources around the league.
Ousmane Dieng's re-signing was expected, and he isn't going anywhere. Perhaps the Bucks could look to move Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince, or Jericho Sims, who all exercised their 2026-27 player options. All are serviceable players, but the team must decide who belongs on a new-look roster built around promising youngsters like Markovic.
There is a youth movement in Milwaukee, and the Bucks are clearly invested in Markovic being part of the journey. We'll have to wait and see what additional moves are made to cut down the roster.
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