Mario Hezonja has suitors for NBA return after announcing Madrid exit
Mario Hezonja announced he will pay the €850,000 buyout clause to leave Real Madrid and return to the NBA. The move initially raised suspicions at Madrid as his destination was unknown. However, after LeBron James chose the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors—who missed out on James—emerged as the main candidates to sign Hezonja. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that both teams face salary cap issues and see the Croatian as a budget-friendly, experienced option. Hezonja, 31, played 335 NBA games with Orlando, New York, and Portland before returning to Europe, where he won the EuroLeague with Madrid in 2023 and was named MVP of the season. His departure was also influenced by the exit of coach Sergio Scariolo. Hezonja's decision appears genuine, ending speculation it was a ploy to evade his Madrid contract.
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