--- title: "Markovic’s NBA deal with Bucks set to reshape Milwaukee’s frontcourt" description: "The ABA MVP stays with Mega Basket for 2024-25 before joining Milwaukee, filling gaps left by Giannis and Portis." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/bogoljub-markovic-has-signed-an-nba-contract-with-the-milwau-b26ae56c published: 2026-07-03T08:56:07.988+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T08:56:07.988+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Markovic’s NBA deal with Bucks set to reshape Milwaukee’s frontcourt > The ABA MVP stays with Mega Basket for 2024-25 before joining Milwaukee, filling gaps left by Giannis and Portis. Serbian power forward Bogoljub Markovic has signed an NBA contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, committing to a multi-year deal after a dominant season as ABA League MVP. The 21-year-old, selected 47th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, will remain with Mega Basket for the 2024-25 campaign before officially joining Milwaukee’s roster once roster spots open following the departures of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Markovic averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game during the 2023-24 ABA season, leading Mega to the league semifinals and securing MVP honors. The Bucks, who have increasingly leaned on European talent to supplement their core, see Markovic as a versatile frontcourt piece capable of providing scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Milwaukee’s front office, led by general manager Jon Horst, prioritized high-upside international prospects in recent drafts, and Markovic fits that mold as a mobile, skilled big man with stretch potential. His arrival comes amid roster turnover, with Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee uncertain beyond this season and Portis signing with a rival Eastern Conference contender. Markovic’s contract includes team-friendly terms, allowing the Bucks to retain financial flexibility while locking in a player with clear upside. The deal also reflects the ABA League’s rising status as a proving ground for NBA-ready talent, with Mega Basket serving as a critical developmental hub. Scouts highlight his footwork, passing out of the post, and improving three-point range as key strengths that could translate to the NBA level. The departure of established stars like Antetokounmpo and Portis creates a significant vacuum in Milwaukee’s interior scoring and physical presence, forcing the franchise to pivot toward a more fluid, positionless style of play. Markovic’s skill set offers a blueprint for this transition; unlike the bruising style of his predecessors, his game relies on perimeter shooting and playmaking, which allows the Bucks to space the floor more effectively. This shift is not merely a stopgap but a calculated reconstruction of the team's identity, prioritizing versatility and spacing over traditional post dominance. Securing a player of Markovic’s caliber with the 47th overall pick represents a significant victory for Milwaukee’s scouting department, validating their aggressive international strategy. While many contenders rely on high-priced free agency to fill roster holes, the Bucks are capitalizing on their infrastructure in Europe to acquire cost-controlled assets. This approach preserves salary cap space for future maneuvers while ensuring the pipeline remains stocked with high-potential talent. The success of this draft-and-stash maneuver could serve as a template for future acquisitions as the team navigates the complexities of the new collective bargaining agreement. The Mega Basket pipeline isn't just a convenience; it's a financial necessity under the current CBA. By keeping Markovic overseas, the Bucks hoard cap space and roster spots while his trade value potentially inflates. This draft-and-stash maneuver turns a second-round flyer into a deferred asset, using the ABA League’s rugged competition as a free farm system. It avoids the wasted developmental years that plague benchwarmers, ensuring Milwaukee extracts maximum value from the 47th pick without paying a luxury tax premium for a project player. Markovic’s arrival signals a tactical overhaul, moving Milwaukee away from the brute-force isolation sets that defined the Antetokounmpo era. His perimeter gravity and passing vision unlock drive-and-kick opportunities that were previously nonexistent, forcing defenses to respect the big man outside the paint. Defensively, his block rates suggest he can hold his own in a switch-heavy scheme, covering for smaller guards on the perimeter. This isn't just replacing production; it’s modernizing the offensive architecture to align with the league’s pace-and-space evolution. Milwaukee head coach Adrian Griffin praised Markovic’s work ethic and basketball IQ, stating, "Bogoljub has the rare combination of size, skill, and professionalism. He’s the type of player who can contribute immediately while continuing to grow alongside our core." The Bucks plan to integrate him gradually, likely splitting time between their NBA and G League affiliates during his rookie season. What’s next: Markovic will report to Mega Basket for the 2024-25 ABA season, where he’ll be the focal point of a team aiming to return to the championship series. Milwaukee will monitor his development closely, with the possibility of accelerating his NBA debut if roster needs arise or if he proves ready during preseason. The Bucks’ front office will also evaluate how his skill set complements emerging young talents like MarJon Beauchamp and Andre Jackson Jr., as the franchise balances short-term competitiveness with long-term roster construction. ## Why this matters Markovic’s signing underscores the Bucks’ strategic pivot toward international talent to offset roster uncertainty. For the ABA League, it’s another validation of its role as a feeder system for the NBA, particularly in Serbia, where clubs like Mega Basket have refined player development pipelines. The move also positions Milwaukee as a destination for European prospects seeking a pathway to the league, while giving Markovic a high-profile platform to showcase his all-around game at the next level. ## Frequently asked ### When will Bogoljub Markovic officially join the Milwaukee Bucks? Markovic will remain with Mega Basket for the 2024-25 ABA season before joining the Bucks’ roster in 2025, coinciding with roster openings after the departures of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. ### What were Markovic’s key stats during his ABA MVP season? In the 2023-24 season, Markovic averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game for Mega Basket. These stats led the team to the ABA semifinals and secured him league MVP honors. ### How does Markovic fit into the Bucks’ frontcourt plans? The Bucks view him as a versatile frontcourt piece capable of scoring, rebounding, and rim protection, addressing gaps left by the departures of Antetokounmpo and Portis while adding depth to their rebuild. ### Which team drafted Bogoljub Markovic in the NBA? The Milwaukee Bucks selected Markovic 47th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. He chose to remain in the ABA League for further development before making the jump to the NBA. ### What role might Markovic play during his rookie NBA season? The Bucks plan to integrate him gradually, likely splitting time between the NBA roster and their G League affiliate. This strategy helps him adapt to the league’s physicality and speed during his rookie season. ## Sources & Citations - [Bogoljub Markovic has signed an NBA contract with the Milwaukee Bucks](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1986811/bogoljub-markovic-has-signed-an-nba-contract-with-the-milwaukee-bucks/) — Eurohoops (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Markovic’s NBA deal with Bucks set to reshape Milwaukee’s frontcourt. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/bogoljub-markovic-has-signed-an-nba-contract-with-the-milwau-b26ae56c