DALLAS — The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Tarik Biberović 56th overall in 2023, but he stayed with Fenerbahçe instead of coming over to the NBA. His draft rights were acquired by the Dallas Mavericks in the six-team trade that also involved Santi Aldama and Marcus Sasser. He signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Mavs on July 10, with a team option for 2027-28.
General manager Mike Schmitz discussed the acquisition Friday on 1310 The Ticket. Schmitz said the interest in Biberović ran through the whole front office rather than one evaluator.
“He’s a player that has been on the radar for some time, just with his size and his shooting,” Schmitz said. “Our group had identified him as someone who at 6-7, 6-8 can really, really shoot the ball and had an impact at the EuroLeague level at a high level for a really competitive team in Fenerbahçe. And so he’s going to be able to provide some size and some shooting. Looking forward to getting him even more integrated with the group. But yeah, that’s definitely a player that’s been on the radar for some time, not just for myself, but for our whole group.”
What Tarik Biberović Did At Fenerbahçe
Biberović averaged 11.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in the EuroLeague last season and shot 41.9% from 3-point range. It was his first season as a full-time starter. He was coming off a season averaging 10.4 points and 3.1 rebounds, while shooting 43.2% from 3-point range. Fenerbahçe won the EuroLeague title that season, with Biberović playing a critical role.
Fenerbahçe reached the Final Four in each of the last three seasons. Olympiacos beat Fenerbahçe 79-61 in the semifinals in May.
The 6-foot-7 sharpshooter was named MVP of the Turkish Cup final in February. He scored 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and shot 10-for-13 from the field. His EuroLeague career high is 26 points against Žalgiris Kaunas, while shooting 6-for-8 from three.
How Tarik Biberović Got To Dallas
Biberović grew up in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and started at OKK Spars Sarajevo. He joined Fenerbahçe at 17 and delivered a standout eight-year tenure.
He declined the Grizzlies’ contract offer last summer. In July 2025 he signed a three-year deal with Fenerbahçe that carried a $2 million buyout clause. Because NBA rules limit a team to contributing up to $900,000 toward a foreign buyout, Biberović needed significant confidence in his next opportunity to make that sacrifice.
Biberović called the move the beginning rather than the end in an interview with Anadolu Agency this week.
Last season, Dallas ranked 27th of 30 teams in offensive rating at 110.3 and shot 34.4% from 3-point range. Camp begins Sept. 22.
The regular season begins Oct. 21 against the Houston Rockets, and tip-off in Houston is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
