Mavericks' biggest steal from massive six-team trade isn't who you think

The Dallas Mavericks are part of a massive six-team trade with the Washington Wizards, LA Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, and Memphis Grizzlies that should be finalized soon. The Wizards acquired Khris Middleton through a sign-and-trade with Dallas, with Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, and the draft rights to Tarik Biberovic heading to the Mavs.

Dallas only had to part with AJ Johnson, Middleton in free agency (who was likely going to leave anyway), and a few low-end draft picks to make this trade happen, and the biggest steal of this move isn't who you expect. Many fans would initially think that Sasser or Aldama are the biggest steals, given their proven NBA pedigree and sharp offensive games. Despite this, the biggest steal is acquiring Biberovic's draft rights for this cheap.

Biberovic is the real steal from this six-team move

Shooting is something that every NBA team needs to succeed, and Dallas just got one of the EuroLeague's best shooters for pennies on the dollar. They didn't have to give up much to get him in the trade, and his contract is extremely team-friendly.

The Mavs plan to give him a two-year, $6 million contract that includes a team option after the first year, and he will join an impressive rookie class of Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio De Larrea, and Tobi Lawal. Just $3 million annually for a player who was this impactful in Europe is a massive bargain, and Dallas' front office deserves credit for orchestrating this deal.

Biberovic rapidly went from throw-in to key signing

The Grizzlies were willing to part ways with Biberovic this summer after drafting him in 2023, and at first, he seemed like a throw-in in this deal. Memphis hadn't brought him over to the States despite him thriving in the EuroLeague and BSL, and Mavs fans didn't know what to think after seeing that he was included in the deal.

Many draft-and-stash players never make their way to the NBA, as Mavericks fans know with Melvin Ajinca, but Biberovic is different. He just shot 48.9 percent from three on 5.2 attempts per game in 25 games for Fenerbahce in the BSL, and the Mavericks are ready to give him a chance to see what he can do in the NBA.

Biberovic was impressive last season, averaging 12.3 points per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field, and the Mavs seem to believe in his long-term upside as they build around Cooper Flagg.

He has a chance to carve out rotation minutes right away, especially considering how poorly Dallas shot from three last season, and the lengthy 6-foot-7 wing could be a key solution to this issue. The Mavs shot 34.4 percent from three last season, which ranked 26th in the NBA, and something had to change.

The Mavs need what Biberovic brings

Flagg is at his best when surrounded by shooters, and the Mavs adding Biberovic to the mix will make things easier on the young star. Biberovic is only 25 years old, and adding him to Dallas' young core of Flagg, Dereck Lively II, Johnson Jr., De Larrea, Ryan Nembhard, and Max Christie was an incredible move.

Acquiring Aldama or Sasser may seem like the flashier move, as Aldama is a 7-foot shooter with a sneaky offensive game and Sasser is a smooth three-level scorer, but Biberovic will quickly prove that he deserves to be in the Mavericks' rotation. Dallas desperately needed another 3-point specialist after losing 56 games last season, and Biberovic will give them a huge boost in a critical area.

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