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.
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.
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.
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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