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Cavs Land Hezonja: Ex-Draft Bust Back in NBA
27 Jul
Summary
- Mario Hezonja signed a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Hezonja previously stated he would not return to the NBA, citing a lack of respect.
- He won a EuroLeague title with Real Madrid in 2023 and was named All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2024.
Mario Hezonja has agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.8 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking his return to the NBA. This move comes after Hezonja had previously stated in April 2022 that he would not return to the league, expressing dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of respect and emphasis on showmanship over the game itself.
Selected fifth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Hezonja spent his early career with the Orlando Magic and later the New York Knicks. His most productive NBA season was in 2017-18, where he averaged a career-high 9.6 points per game. After his last NBA stint with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019-20, he embarked on a highly successful four-year run in Europe with Real Madrid.
During his time in Madrid, Hezonja achieved significant accolades, including winning the prestigious EuroLeague title in 2023 and earning a spot on the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2024. He also contributed to Real Madrid's Spanish ACB league titles in 2024 and 2025, and was awarded the Liga ACB MVP for the 2025-26 season. He continues to represent the Croatian national team, most recently participating in FIBA World Cup Qualifying earlier this month.
