I think the Tarik "news" might be way overhyped. Digging for more info on him, I found several pieces of info that run contrary (or provide a different slant) to what we are hearing.
1 On the idea that the Mavs are "closing in" on a contract with him, that ignores the fact that he's not even a Mav and the Mavs couldn't do a contract with him even if they wanted to. He won't be a Mav until a trade is done, and if it's part of a bigger multi-team trade, we may be waiting a while before the Mavs even have his draft rights.
2 This hyped "Tarik might be coming" story -- with eager fan forum and podcast reports - is not new! Last summer there was an almost IDENTICAL anticipation in MEM that he was about to sign there, and how great he is, and yada yada yada. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUDMpP69bo4
3 NOTE: Not only did he NOT sign with MEM, he instead signed a 3-year deal to stay, and one with a somewhat-prohibitive buyout. It was reported like this, and see if the wording sounds incredibly similar to now: On July 10, 2025, Biberović signed a new three-year deal with the reigning EuroLeague champions, despite significant interest from the Memphis Grizzlies who hold his NBA rights
--- Is this a guy just waiting for an NBA offer? Or is he milking his situation to keep getting more, playing one side against the other?
4 When I look at his stats, yes they look good on paper, but there are some real question marks. On his own team, other players are also shooting well over 40% from 3, including the former NBA (not-)great Nando de Colo who is 39 years old and who didn't last long in the US. To dig through his stats as well as the rest of the team, see: https://www.basketball-reference.com/int.../2026.html
-- Which raises a question: is he even the best player on his team?
5 The Euro reports push back on the idea that a deal with DAL is close. Instead, here is how they describe things, and this is posted today (by Yağız Sabuncuoğlu): "Dallas Mavericks have made an official offer for Tarık Biberović! Dallas's offer has not yet come close to the salary demanded by Tarık. Negotiations on the salary issue are ongoing. If Tarık transfers to the NBA, Fenerbahçe will earn 2 million dollars."
-- "Not yet come close" is a far cry from "closing in" on a deal.
6 I find it a bit cautionary that despite the description of him as a "star," I find no mention whatsoever that he has even received any awards and honors for his play in Turkey. I don't know what sort of all-league type of recognition is possible. Assuming those exist, he's not at that level?
7 One other point. If he's such an incredible prize, why did MEM (who certainly has great scouting and development, plenty of openings and a desire to develop and create superior NBA stars) decide to trade him to DAL? Did they perhaps decide it's a pursuit that goes nowhere, and that he's a player who asks for way more salary commitment than he's worth?
1 On the idea that the Mavs are "closing in" on a contract with him, that ignores the fact that he's not even a Mav and the Mavs couldn't do a contract with him even if they wanted to. He won't be a Mav until a trade is done, and if it's part of a bigger multi-team trade, we may be waiting a while before the Mavs even have his draft rights.
2 This hyped "Tarik might be coming" story -- with eager fan forum and podcast reports - is not new! Last summer there was an almost IDENTICAL anticipation in MEM that he was about to sign there, and how great he is, and yada yada yada. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUDMpP69bo4
3 NOTE: Not only did he NOT sign with MEM, he instead signed a 3-year deal to stay, and one with a somewhat-prohibitive buyout. It was reported like this, and see if the wording sounds incredibly similar to now: On July 10, 2025, Biberović signed a new three-year deal with the reigning EuroLeague champions, despite significant interest from the Memphis Grizzlies who hold his NBA rights
--- Is this a guy just waiting for an NBA offer? Or is he milking his situation to keep getting more, playing one side against the other?
4 When I look at his stats, yes they look good on paper, but there are some real question marks. On his own team, other players are also shooting well over 40% from 3, including the former NBA (not-)great Nando de Colo who is 39 years old and who didn't last long in the US. To dig through his stats as well as the rest of the team, see: https://www.basketball-reference.com/int.../2026.html
-- Which raises a question: is he even the best player on his team?
5 The Euro reports push back on the idea that a deal with DAL is close. Instead, here is how they describe things, and this is posted today (by Yağız Sabuncuoğlu): "Dallas Mavericks have made an official offer for Tarık Biberović! Dallas's offer has not yet come close to the salary demanded by Tarık. Negotiations on the salary issue are ongoing. If Tarık transfers to the NBA, Fenerbahçe will earn 2 million dollars."
-- "Not yet come close" is a far cry from "closing in" on a deal.
6 I find it a bit cautionary that despite the description of him as a "star," I find no mention whatsoever that he has even received any awards and honors for his play in Turkey. I don't know what sort of all-league type of recognition is possible. Assuming those exist, he's not at that level?
7 One other point. If he's such an incredible prize, why did MEM (who certainly has great scouting and development, plenty of openings and a desire to develop and create superior NBA stars) decide to trade him to DAL? Did they perhaps decide it's a pursuit that goes nowhere, and that he's a player who asks for way more salary commitment than he's worth?
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