The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Mario Hezonja to a one-year contract worth $2.8 million, marking the Croatian player's return to the NBA. This move comes shortly after the news that LeBron James opted to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, spurning the Cavaliers and Miami Heat.
Hezonja, who last played in the NBA during the 2019-20 season, had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the league. In an April 2022 interview, he stated, "No, I’m not going to return to the NBA. There was a lot I didn’t like there, I didn’t get the respect that I deserved." He also commented that "In my opinion, the NBA is more of a show than the game itself."
The 31-year-old was the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He spent his first three seasons with the Orlando Magic, averaging a career-high 9.6 points per game in the 2017-18 season. He then played for the New York Knicks on a one-year deal in 2018 before his final NBA season with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019-20.
In the intervening years, Hezonja played for Real Madrid, a prominent European basketball club. During his tenure from 2022 to 2026, he achieved significant success, including winning the EuroLeague title in his first season with the club in 2023. He was also named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2024. Domestically, Hezonja helped Real Madrid win the Spanish ACB league titles in 2024 and 2025. He earned Liga ACB MVP honors for his performance in the 2025-26 season, where he averaged 15.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
Hezonja also continues to represent the Croatian national basketball team, recently participating in FIBA World Cup Qualifying matches.