0
Mario Hezonja is set to make his long-awaited return to the NBA after six seasons in Europe, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2.8 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Croatian forward, who spent the last four years with Real Madrid in the EuroLeague, will return to the league for the first time since 2020. ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report the agreement, confirming that Cleveland had secured the services of the former fifth overall draft pick.
The Cavaliers moved quickly once the NBA free-agency market opened up, making Hezonja a priority addition to strengthen their wing rotation. Cleveland reportedly beat out competition from the Golden State Warriors, who were also interested in signing the 31-year-old. After rebuilding his reputation as one of Europe’s top players with Real Madrid, Hezonja now gets another opportunity to revive his NBA career with a playoff contender.
Cleveland Cavaliers Land Former No. 5 Pick Mario Hezonja On One-Year Contract
Mario Hezonja is heading back to the NBA after agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2.8 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to his agent Michael Tellem of Excel Sports Management. The Croatian forward, who was selected fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA Draft, spent five seasons in the league with Orlando, the New York Knicks and the Portland Trail Blazers before returning to Europe in 2020. Since then, he has rebuilt his reputation as one of the EuroLeague’s standout players during a successful four-year spell with Real Madrid.
Hezonja arrives in Cleveland after an outstanding season in Spain, where he was named the Spanish League MVP while averaging 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 44 appearances. The 31-year-old attracted interest from several NBA franchises, including the Golden State Warriors, as well as multiple EuroLeague clubs, but ultimately chose the Cavaliers. He is expected to strengthen Cleveland’s wing rotation after the departures of Dean Wade and Keon Ellis in free agency.
The signing also gives the Cavaliers added financial flexibility heading into the remainder of the offseason. The veteran-minimum deal keeps Cleveland comfortably below the league’s second apron while leaving room to complete other roster moves. Hezonja becomes the franchise’s first external addition of the summer outside of the draft and is expected to provide experience and versatility for a team looking to build on last season’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Why The Cavaliers Believe Mario Hezonja Is Ready For A Successful NBA Return
Mario Hezonja returns to the NBA as a far more complete player than the one who left in 2020. During his six-year spell in Europe, the 31-year-old established himself as a key figure for Real Madrid, one of the EuroLeague’s most successful clubs. His time overseas brought major success, including a EuroLeague title in 2023, two Spanish ACB League championships and the Spanish League MVP award last season, reflecting the progress he has made in both his game and overall maturity.
The Cavaliers are banking on that development as they strengthen their roster for another playoff push. At 6-foot-9, Hezonja offers size on the wing, reliable scoring, defensive versatility and the ability to stretch the floor while thriving in transition. If Cleveland decides to move on from Max Strus, Hezonja could even find himself competing for a place in the starting lineup as the franchise looks to build a squad capable of taking the next step beyond last season’s Eastern Conference Finals run.
Comments are closed.