The Cleveland Cavaliers had to wait until July 24 to learn that LeBron James wasn’t joining their team. Now that delay is complicating their fallback signing.
Mario Hezonja, the No. 5 pick in the 2015 draft, agreed Sunday on a one-year deal with the Cavs. But the deal has hit a snag since Hezonja missed a deadline to exercise his out clause with Real Madrid.
Adam Silver may have inadvertently hurt Cleveland Cavaliers
When NBA commissioner Adam Silver complained that not knowing where James was signing had delayed the NBA’s schedule-making, it reportedly irritated the 41-year-old superstar. So much that some speculated he intentionally delayed his announcement for a week.
That could be crucial for Cleveland’s pursuit of Hezonja, who had to formally opt out and pay his European team a $1M buyout by July 20. But James didn’t decide until four days after that deadline, and now Real Madrid is delaying sending the necessary FIFA Letter of Clearance that would allow Hezonja to join the Cavs.
Now the Spanish club has leverage over the Cavs, reportedly suggesting they would retain Hezonja’s EuroLeague rights if and when he leaves the NBA again. That’s not something the Cavs can control, putting their other plans in limbo.
Cleveland Cavaliers face hurdles for more than one free agent target
The issues with Hezonja and his old team should find a resolution, but it’s one of many hurdles that the team has encountered this summer.
They’re interested in free agent Jonathan Kuminga, but would have to figure out a sign-and-trade to add him. They need to re-sign James Harden, who opted out of his $42.3M salary for next season, but want to stay under the second luxury tax apron. The team still has no replacement for Dean Wade, who will be playing alongside James on the Philadelphia 76ers.
It could be a difficult summer for a Cavaliers team that was swept in the Eastern Conference Finals and needs to improve. They likely didn’t imagine signing Hezonja to a veteran minimum deal would be difficult as well.