Hapoel Tel Aviv Target Mario Hezonja Unwilling to Relocate to Israel Amid Contract Talks

Mario Hezonja, the Croatian forward currently with Real Madrid, is unlikely to continue with the Spanish club next season. While Spanish media suggest he might try his luck in the NBA again, Serbian reports indicate Hezonja will probably remain in the EuroLeague. However, he is reportedly dissatisfied with the financial offers he has received so far, leaving his next destination uncertain.

Hapoel Tel Aviv is among the leading teams interested in signing Hezonja, but according to Serbian sources, the player does not want to live in Israel or Dubai, ruling out two clubs willing to meet his high salary demands. Hezonja is said to be asking for between 3.5 and 4 million euros per season. Anadolu Efes, another interested EuroLeague team, has offered less than his asking price and is currently not prepared to meet his salary expectations.

Hezonja, 31 years old and 2.06 meters tall, averaged 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in the recent EuroLeague season, along with 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in the Spanish league. Despite his uncertainty about his future, he expressed strong satisfaction with Real Madrid just two months ago, rating his happiness at the club as "11 out of 10" and emphasizing his pride in wearing the team's jersey for four seasons.

No official responses have been released yet regarding these reports, leaving the basketball community awaiting further developments on Hezonja's career path.