Besiktas are preparing for their long-awaited EuroLeague return, rapidly assembling a roster designed to compete rather than participate.
Under Dusan Alimpijevic, the Istanbul club has transitioned from domestic rebuilding to European ambition – now backed by a reported €12 million payroll and a clear intent to reach the playoffs.
Besiktas enter EuroLeague with playoff ambition
Besiktas are approaching their return to the EuroLeague after 14 years with a significantly upgraded sporting and financial structure. Board member Ozkan Arseven confirmed that the club’s budget for player salaries will reach at least €12 million, signaling a serious intent to compete at the highest level of European basketball.
The club’s rise under Dusan Alimpijevic has been steady, evolving from relegation battles in the Turkish Super League into championship contention and deep Eurocup runs, including a near-final appearance halted by Bourg.
Now, with EuroLeague participation secured for the first time since season 2012/13, the goal has shifted sharply upward: playoff contention.
Departures force an immediate structural reset
Besiktas have already parted ways with several rotation pieces, including Jonah Mathews, Brynton Lemar, and Ismael Kamagate, creating immediate gaps in both perimeter creation and interior depth.
The departures have accelerated recruitment efforts, with the front office acting quickly despite uncertainty surrounding their EuroLeague status earlier in the summer.
First wave of signings restores the core structure
The club has moved to stabilize its rotation with a series of early signings – Ante Zizic, Devon Dotson, Berk Ugurlu and Anthony Brown.
These players already formed part of Besiktas’ structure in the previous cycle and are expected to carry their roles into a higher competitive tier, but the biggest move may still be coming.
Anthony Brown ile yola devam! ✍️
— Beşiktaş Basketbol (@BJK_Basketbol) July 2, 2026
2025/26 sezonunda takımımıza dahil olan Anthony Brown ile sözleşme yeniledik.
Sporcumuza siyah-beyazlı formayla nice başarılar diliyoruz! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/Rjd71Int6u
Domestic core strategy
First headline addition is Furkan Korkmaz, the former NBA guard and Turkish international. While no longer in his peak athletic phase, Korkmaz still offers high-level floor spacing and perimeter shooting – a valuable asset in EuroLeague. According to reports, Metecan Birsen is nearing a move from Fenerbahce, further reinforcing Besiktas’ strategy of building a strong domestic foundation alongside imported talent.
Even though all gaps have not been addressed yet, this approach is designed to improve roster continuity and system familiarity under Alimpijevic, who places heavy emphasis on tactical discipline and role execution.
One move could change the ceiling
Beyond confirmed moves, Besiktas are also being linked with Scottie Wilbekin. The former Fenerbahce and Maccabi Tel Aviv guard remains a high-upside option if he can overcome recent injury setbacks. A healthy Wilbekin would instantly elevate Besiktas’ offensive ceiling and signal a shift from structured competitiveness to true EuroLeague contention.
System-first roster building under Alimpijevic
Alimpijevic’s approach remains central to the project: prioritizing system-fit over star power. The idea is not simply to collect names, but to assemble players capable of thriving within a disciplined, structured framework.
Besiktas’ pathway is clear – identify undervalued talent, maximize system efficiency, and selectively invest in proven high-impact players, but whether that system survives EuroLeague intensity will define the season.
