Cryptic social media post by agent Miško Ražnatović on X suggests the Croatian basketball player is leaving Real Madrid and returning to the world's top league. A return to the NBA would directly affect his availability for the national team.
Mario Hezonja is leaving Real Madrid and returning to the NBA, and a post by his agent Miško Ražnatović on social media platform X strongly suggests the Croatian player has already found a new club. According to Index.hr Sport, all circumstances point to a move to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ražnatović posted on X a message directly linked to Hezonja and Cleveland:
"The Republic of Dubrovnik and its inhabitants have always been known for their mercantile mentality. Centuries have passed, things have changed, and now that mentality has somehow become chivalric, equestrian..."The allusion is clear: Hezonja was born in Dubrovnik, and the English name for the Cleveland team, Cavaliers, translates precisely to horsemen or knights. If the news is confirmed, Hezonja would continue his career in one of the more attractive NBA clubs in recent seasons.
Spanish newspaper As earlier this week reported that Hezonja would remain a Real Madrid player because he had not paid the buyout clause of approximately €850,000 to leave for the NBA. According to that report, the Croatian player informed the club of his intention to leave within the given deadline but did not pay the agreed compensation amount, which was the second key condition for terminating the contract. However, according to current information from Index.hr Sport, it seems that was not accurate and that Hezonja is indeed leaving Madrid.
This would be Hezonja's second stint in the NBA. He played in the world's top league from 2015 to 2020, after being selected as the fifth pick in the 2015 draft. In five seasons, he played a total of 330 games for three teams: the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game.
Hezonja's return to the NBA would have a direct impact on the Croatian basketball national team in World Cup qualifiers. According to Index.hr Sport, Hezonja could play for Croatia in only the next two qualifying matches, against Latvia and the Netherlands in August. After that, he would be unavailable in November against Poland and the Netherlands, and in February 2027 against Latvia and Poland. Losing a player who has been one of the team's mainstays for years is certainly a factor the head coach must consider when planning the qualifying campaign.
It is important to note that at the time of writing, Hezonja's move to the Cleveland Cavaliers has not been officially confirmed. Everything is based on the interpretation of Ražnatović's social media post and indications that Hezonja is leaving Real Madrid. No official confirmation of the transfer has been announced by the club, the player, or his agent.
