Mario Hezonja Poised to Return to NBA Amid Interest from Multiple Teams

Mario Hezonja's future continues to stir interest in both the EuroLeague and the NBA. The former Real Madrid player, who is a candidate for Hapoel Tel Aviv, is expected to return to the NBA, potentially for the first time since the 2019/20 season. According to journalist Marc Stein, several NBA teams are interested in signing Hezonja, including some that also have ties to LeBron James. Cleveland is reportedly among the teams seeking to strengthen their roster with Hezonja, although teams Hezonja previously played for, such as Orlando, New York, and Portland, are not currently in the running.

Hezonja could theoretically sign with an NBA team, be released from his current contract, and then return to any EuroLeague team he chooses, but this scenario is considered unlikely. Financially, Hezonja faces a pay cut if he moves to the NBA, as his minimum salary for a player with five years of experience is about $3 million gross, which is less than what he would earn in the EuroLeague. However, he might secure a higher contract, though this is not expected. Additionally, his buyout clause stands at $850,000, which an NBA team can fully cover under league rules.

Last season, Hezonja averaged 17.5 points per game with a 47.7% shooting rate in the Spanish league, where he was named MVP. His last NBA season with Portland saw him average 4.8 points per game, while his best NBA season was in 2017/18, averaging 9.6 points per game. The developments around Hezonja's career are closely watched by fans and analysts alike as he weighs his options between Europe and the NBA.