The Milwaukee Bucks surprised a lot of people with their second-round selection of Serbian big man Bogolijub Markovic at no. 47 overall in the NBA draft. Among the available remaining names were guys like Wisconsin’s John Tonje, a popular mock-draft suggestion, and standout Tennessee guard Tyrese Proctor. Not many fans had heard of Markovic.
Unfortunately, word is out that the Bucks plan to “stash” him overseas next season, snuffing any expectations that he could immediately contribute. Fans may have to wait a while, but one day, perhaps, Markovic can reach his ceiling. In a manner more tongue-in-cheek than dead sober, his upside is being compared to Utah Jazz power forward Lauri Markkanen. Not a bad comp, even if it’s only half-serious.
Bogolijub Markovic, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA Draft, Lauri Markkanen
Drafting Markovic at 47: Sneaky-Ceiling Selection or See-You-Later Snafu?
Markovic does have some solid raw potential. Draft expert Jesse Fischer ranked him 18th out of all possible picks in his value-based model. A comprehensive scoring range is one of his strengths. Over in the Adriatic League, he shot 37% on threes, aligning the 6-foot-11 prospect with the stretch big NA model.
ESPN provided the following pre-draft assessment: “Markovic is a skilled big man who scored from all over the floor with impressive efficiency in his first season in the Adriatic League, winning the equivalent of rookie of the year.”
For comparison, Minnesota drafted Markkanen as a freshman 7th overall in 2017, out of Arizona. Obviously, his college profile was one that far outweighs Markovic’s international resume. We’re talking about a 47th overall pick, not a borderline lottery choice.
On the “Locked On Bucks” podcast, team analyst Justin Garcia said he’s seen people linking the 19-year-old to Utah’s 2023 All-Star. “I’ve seen a decent amount of, ‘Yeah, he kind of comps to Lauri Markkanen, with a little more feel for the game.’ Which, if that’s what you get – for the 47th pick in the draft, if you can get Lauri Markkanen, then great.” Cue wry, resigned smile.
Lauri Markkanen, Milwaukee Bucks, Bogolijub Markovic
Apr 2, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports (NBA Rumors)
Milwaukee Bucks Would Settle for Playable Rotation Piece in Few Years’ Time
Garcia’s take on the side-by-side inclines more toward amusement than an endorsement. Which makes a lot of sense. Even knowing little about him, hyping a mid-second-round pick to have Markkanen-type upside seems a touch ludicrous.
Of course, if Markovic could be anything close to that, the Bucks would take it in a heartbeat. Utah’s 7-footer has averaged 18.2 points per game in his eight-year career, peaking at 25.6 in 2022-23. He’s a career 37.1% three-point shooter and has grabbed 7.1 boards per night. Even last season, a down year, he put up 19.0 PPG and 5.9 RPG for an enthusiastically tanking team (the 21-61 Jazz finished last in the West).
Milwaukee Bucks, Lauri Markkanen, Bogolijub Markovic
Jan 27, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots the ball over Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
For now, if Milwaukee leaves Markovic overseas for the upcoming season, he is poised for a hibernation period in the minds of Bucks fans. Maybe he’s the next Markkanen waiting to emerge from his chrysalis. More reasonably, many fans would just be happy to see him on the floor at some point. There’s probably more excitement about undrafted free agent signing Mark Fears, the leading scorer on Alabama’s Elite Eight squad last season.
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