Cleveland Cavaliers Confirm Signing of Mario Hezonja
The Croatian forward, after six years in Europe, has signed a one-year deal worth $2.8 million.
The Croatian forward, after six years in Europe, has signed a one-year deal worth $2.8 million.
The NBA club Cleveland Cavaliers officially announced on Thursday, July 31, 2026, that Mario Hezonja is the newest member of the team. As stated by the club, the 31-year-old Croatian national team player has signed a one-year contract, marking his return to the world's strongest basketball league after six years. The news was also confirmed by the Cavaliers' President of Basketball Operations, Koby Altman.
Although the Cleveland-based franchise did not officially disclose the financial details, American media, as reported by Zadarski list, indicate that the contract is worth $2.8 million.
Hezonja returns to the United States following four exceptionally successful seasons with Real Madrid. With the "royal club," he won the EuroLeague in 2023 and two consecutive Spanish league titles in 2024 and 2025. In the past season, he was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Spanish ACB League, and across all competitions for Real, he played 80 games, averaging 15 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
Throughout his rich European career, in addition to Real Madrid, he also played for Barcelona, with whom he won two Spanish championships, Greek club Panathinaikos, where he lifted the Greek league trophy, and Russian team Unics Kazan.
This marks Hezonja's second attempt in the NBA. He first arrived in the league in 2015 as the fifth overall pick in the draft, which still ranks him among the highest-drafted Croatian basketball players in history. From 2015 to 2020, he played 330 games for the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
His return to the NBA represents a significant shift from his earlier statements, when during his time in Europe he claimed he had no intention of returning to the American league due to dissatisfaction with his first stint.
The Cleveland Cavaliers last season reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. As reported by HRT, the club was looking for additional depth in the frontcourt following the departures of Dean Wade and Keon Ellis, and Hezonja (standing 206 cm tall and weighing 110 kg) is expected to contribute precisely in that area.
Interestingly, despite the official confirmation from Cleveland, Real Madrid had not yet issued a statement regarding Hezonja's departure at the time of the announcement. Additionally, according to Zadarski list, it remains unclear how the exit clause in the contract that bound the Croatian international to the Madrid club for another three years has been resolved.
