The Croatian forward, after six seasons in Europe, will once again play in the world's strongest basketball league, having agreed to a one-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $2.8 million.
Croatian basketball player Mario Hezonja (31) returns to the NBA after six years spent in Europe. According to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, the Dubrovnik native has agreed to a one-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $2.8 million, which Index.hr reports as approximately 2.46 million euros, while 24sata cites an equivalent of 2.5 million euros.
Charania broke the news via his profile on social network X, stating that 'EuroLeague star Mario Hezonja has agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.8 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers,' relaying information confirmed to ESPN by Michael Tellem of Excel Sports Management, which represents the Croatian forward. This information was also confirmed to Index.hr by Tellem himself, while Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews reported that Hezonja utilized the exit clause in his contract with Real Madrid, formally paving the way for his departure from the Spanish club.
According to 24sata, the Golden State Warriors also showed interest in Hezonja this summer, but he ultimately chose Cleveland. There, he is expected to take on a more significant role in the rotation after the club failed to secure the return of LeBron James during the transfer window, Index.hr reports.
For the 31-year-old from Dubrovnik, this marks a return to the United States after he continued his career in Europe following the 2019/20 season. It will be his sixth season in the world's strongest league. Standing at 206 cm tall and weighing 110 kg, Hezonja plays as a small forward and, according to 24sata, should bring the ability to cover multiple positions, outside shooting, and additional toughness to Cleveland's rotation.
Returning to the NBA was Hezonja's priority after six years in Europe, the last four of which he spent with Real Madrid, where, according to Index.hr, he established himself as one of the best forwards in the EuroLeague. Before that, he played for Panathinaikos and UNICS Kazan. According to 24sata, at the Madrid club, Hezonja was one of the best players in recent seasons and won numerous trophies, building a reputation as one of Europe's most important forwards.
Hezonja was selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. In his first stint in the league, he played a total of 330 games for the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 18.5 minutes on the court, recording 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, according to data cited by Index.hr.
Although those numbers do not reflect the status he built in Europe, where he was a key player for Real Madrid, the Cavaliers are getting an experienced player who has proven in recent years that he can be a decisive factor at the highest European level. For the Croatian, this is a new opportunity to show whether he can re-establish himself on NBA courts after successful seasons in Europe.
It has not yet been announced when the contract will be officially signed, nor the details of the medical examination, which in NBA transfers typically precedes the final confirmation of the deal. It has also not been announced whether Hezonja will be part of the Cavaliers' starting lineup or will enter the rotation from the bench. The club had not issued an official statement about the transfer as of the time of this article's publication.
