Mario Hezonja is officially back in the NBA, signing a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This move makes a serious statement for the Cavs, bringing a EuroLeague star back stateside for the first time since the 2019-20 season, and it was ESPN’s Shams Charania who broke the news Sunday.
Super Mario’s Journey Back
Think about it: Hezonja, the No. 5 overall pick way back in the 2015 draft, has been balling overseas for the past six seasons. He spent the last four of those with European powerhouse Real Madrid. He last suited up in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers during that 2019-20 season. Now 31 years old, he is finally making his return, and it is with a team that just fought its way all the way to the Eastern Conference finals. That is a serious upgrade for a squad already making noise.
A Steal for the Cavaliers?
It wasn’t only Cleveland chasing him either. Charania also reported that the Golden State Warriors, another team always looking to compete, showed “strong interest” in the Croatian forward this offseason. For the Cavaliers to snag a talent like Hezonja, a guy with that kind of draft pedigree and EuroLeague experience, for just $2.8 million? That feels like a massive win. This is a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing for a team that has already proved they can hang with the best in the East.
The Buzz in Cleveland Just Got Louder
With Hezonja joining a squad that made a deep run this year, the energy in Cleveland has to be buzzing. Fans are going to be hyped to see what this former top-five pick can bring to the court, especially after his time sharpening his game in Europe. The Cavaliers are clearly serious about building on their Eastern Conference finals appearance, and adding a proven, veteran talent like this for a bargain price sends a clear message. Get ready to see how he fits in and helps push them even further this upcoming season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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