The Sacramento Kings are entering the 2025 NBA Draft with a clear positional priority: finding a point guard. However, with only the 42nd overall pick, addressing that need could prove challenging, as quality options at the position may already be off the board by then.
If the Kings reach draft night and their preferred point guard targets are unavailable, it wouldn’t be surprising to see new general manager Scott Perry pivot and take a swing on a high-upside prospect—something he frequently did during his tenure with the New York Knicks.
In Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, Jonathan Wasserman projects that the Sacramento Kings will use their 42nd overall pick on, a 6-foot-11 big man from Serbia. With their top point guard targets potentially off the board, the Kings may opt to take a chance on his upside, aligning with general manager Scott Perry’s history of betting on high-potential international prospects.
He is drawing interest as a high-upside international prospect after a breakout season with KK Mega Basket in the Adriatic Basketball Association. Over 30 games, the 6-foot-11 Serbian big man averaged 13.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, while posting efficient shooting splits of 53.8% from the field, 37.0% from three, and 76.0% from the free-throw line.
Markovic’s skill set is rare for a player his size—he’s flashed the ability to shoot from deep, create plays in transition, pass effectively, and score from multiple levels. This blend of size and versatility has put him in the annual “international unicorn” conversation.
Despite a quiet showing at the abbreviated NBA combine in Treviso, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman still sees second-round intrigue in Markovic. He likened the Serbian forward to Aleksej Pokusevski, citing his offensive creativity and potential.
“Bogoljub Markovic didn’t help himself at the abbreviated combine in Treviso,” Wasserman noted. “But there should still be second-round interest in a 6’11” forward with the offensive versatility to shoot threes, score from the post, handle in transition and pass.”
With the Kings holding the No. 42 pick, Markovic could be the kind of high-upside swing new GM Scott Perry is willing to take, especially if their preferred point guard options are off the board.
Bogoljub Markovic may be an intriguing long-term prospect, but he doesn’t exactly align with what the Sacramento Kings need heading into the 2025 offseason. While his size and skill set offer tantalizing upside, Markovic is far from a finished product and would likely be more of a developmental project than an immediate contributor—something the Kings have typically shied away from in recent drafts.
Selecting at No. 42 overall presents its challenges, and many teams choose to prioritize potential over fit in the second round. However, the Kings may want to go in the opposite direction this year. With a glaring hole at point guard and a need for more NBA-ready talent, taking a flyer on a raw international big like Markovic doesn’t address their most pressing concerns.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman had the Kings passing on several more polished and game-ready prospects such as Hunter Sallis, Kobe Sanders, Javon Small, and Amari Williams—all of whom could potentially step in and contribute sooner than Markovic. While none of those players may be immediate stars, they at least offer clearer paths to rotation minutes on a team looking to get back into the playoff picture.