The last time Mario Hezonja was mentioned in connection with the NBA was around the draft when the Trail Blazers made five consecutive picks from their bench. Since then, he has played in Europe, spending time with teams in Greece and Russia before joining Real Madrid. Just last summer, he signed a five-year deal with the Spanish club, which includes an NBA buyout clause.
Reports indicate that several NBA teams are interested in Hezonja, according to Donatas Urbonas from BasketNews.com. The 30-year-old forward spent five seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Orlando Magic, but his performance there didn’t fully meet expectations.
However, Hezonja appears to have developed his game further in Europe. Last season with Real Madrid, he shot 39.2%, averaging 13.6 points and 4.9 assists per game. Additionally, he put up impressive numbers for Croatia in the 2025 Eurobasket qualifiers, averaging 30.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, although Croatia didn’t advance.
Hezonja’s NBA buyout clause is approximately $850,000, as noted by Urbonas, which makes acquiring him potentially feasible for NBA teams looking at European talent.
Fan Take: This update is exciting for basketball enthusiasts because it highlights how players can evolve overseas and potentially make impactful returns to the NBA. Hezonja’s progress in Europe and the attainable buyout clause could signal a resurgence for his career, offering NBA teams a chance to add a seasoned and skilled player to their rosters.
