Not everyone was happy with the Milwaukee Bucks’ second-round draft choice, Serbian big man Bogolijub Markovic. His was not a name circulating among their mock draft suggestions. After taking Markovic 47th, however, the Bucks weren’t done for the night. Not long after the official festivities fizzled to a close, they signed Alabama guard Marc Sears to a two-way contract. Surprisingly undrafted, could Sears be in 2025 what Ryan Rollins gave the Bucks last season?
Milwaukee Bucks Could Benefit from Unlikely Contributor Again This Season
Let’s get this out of the way: Sears and Rollins have very different skillsets. Last season at Alabama, a major college program, Sears was a high volume scorer (20 PPG over the past two years). His small size makes defense an issue.
Rollins, on the other hand, is a 3-and-D guard whose offensive production in the NBA thus far has come mostly on spot-up shots.
Milwaukee Bucks, Mark Sears, Ryan Rollins
Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) has his shot blocked by Connecticut forward Alex Karaban (11) during the Final Four semifinal game at State Farm Stadium.
From a general point of view, however, on a roster desperate for guard help, Sears could supply a shot in the arm as an unexpected option playing most of the year on a two-way contract. This would be just what Rollins did in 2024-25 before finally earning a regular deal to finish out the season.
Now Rollins is a free agent, expecting an NBA salary after performing well in his time on the court last season (6.2 PPG, 40.8 3-point%, tight defense). Fellow point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is almost certainly declining his player option, making him a free agent as well. Damian Lillard will miss most of the season due to Achilles surgery. The Bucks need bodies in the backcourt and so far, they have not been loudly tied to anyone in the free agent or trade markets.
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks, Mark Sears
Feb 3, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) goes up for a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Can Sears Provide Meaningful Minutes in Opposite, Offense-First Role?
In a different capacity than Rollins, Sears could nonetheless provide the Bucks a critical boost next season if he finds his footing. Despite his talent, there must be a reason no team used a pick on him. Being 6-foot-1 is a hard life in the NBA. Most of the names that come to mind – Trae Young, Jalen Brunson – are offensive stars with glaring defensive weaknesses.
Rollins does have a couple of inches on him, but Sears has a higher listed weight and a solid frame. While he’s a wild card for sure, there’s no reason he can’t see the court at some point if he does well in the preseason or in the G league with the Wisconsin Herd. Already 23, he has a level of physical maturity Rollins did not coming into the league three seasons ago as the 44th pick of the draft. Not until last year, in his age 22 season, did he show promise.
Mark Sears, Milwaukee Bucks, Ryan Rollins
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) shoots against Connecticut Huskies guard Hassan Diarra (10) in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium.
Including three years at Alabama, Sears has five seasons and 170 games of college ball under his belt. The Bucks no doubt hope that experience will expedite his NBA development. Particularly if they lose both Rollins and Porter in free agency, they might find themselves looking for reinforcements wherever they can be had.
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