Hezonja returns to NBA after six years, signs with Cavaliers
Croatian forward Mario Hezonja has agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking his return to the NBA after a six-season absence.
Mario Hezonja, the 30-year-old Croatian forward, is returning to the National Basketball Association after a six-year hiatus. He has agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.8 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Hezonja spent the last several seasons in Europe, establishing himself as one of the EuroLeague's brightest stars. Selected fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA draft, he failed to fully live up to expectations. Over five NBA seasons with the Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers, he appeared in 330 regular-season games.
His best NBA campaign came in 2017-18 with Orlando, averaging 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 22.1 minutes per game. For his career, he holds averages of 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
After leaving the NBA in 2020, Hezonja played for Panathinaikos Athens, UNICS Kazan, and Real Madrid. It was with the Spanish powerhouse that he reached peak form, becoming a top EuroLeague player.
He now joins the Cavaliers, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Hezonja also drew strong interest from the Golden State Warriors but chose Cleveland, where he is expected to play a key role on the wing. The team aims to take another step toward an NBA championship next season.
