Former NBA bust Mario Hezonja gets another shot after six years playing hoops overseas

Inja News جولای 27, 2026 2 minutes read

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Former NBA lottery picks rarely make it back after six years overseas. Mario Hezonja just did.

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed the 31-year-old Croatian to a one-year, $2.8 million veteran minimum deal, bringing him back to the NBA for the first time since 2020.

Jonas Jerebko of the Boston Celtics defends Mario Hezonja of the Orlando Magic during an NBA game.

Back in 2015, Super Mario was the fifth overall pick by the Orlando Magic. He entered the league with sky-high expectations, but the production never followed.

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In five NBA seasons with Orlando, New York and Portland, Hezonja averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists (330 games) before the league moved on.

Rather than fade into another draft bust, Hezonja headed to Europe and rebuilt his career.

Rob Hennigan introduces Mario Hezonja and Tyler Harvey during a press conference.

Mario Hezonja brings the ball up court during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center.

Suiting up for Real Madrid, he developed into one of Europe’s top wings. He won a EuroLeague title, earned Liga Endesa MVP honors last season and established himself among Europe’s elite.

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Now he gets another shot.

For the Cavaliers, it’s a low-risk move with interesting upside.

Mario Hezonja No. 11 of Real Madrid in action during a Liga Endesa game.

Cleveland gets a 6-foot-8 wing who has spent the past six years competing at the highest level outside the NBA. If he struggles to adjust, the Cavs can move on with little cost. But if this version of Hezonja translates, they may have found one of the offseason’s biggest bargains.

The Cavaliers missed out on LeBron. They might’ve stumbled into something else.

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