Despite recent noise in Spain, Mario Hezonja remains on course to join an NBA team, per BasketNews sources. He turned down conditional offers from three EuroLeague clubs, convinced that his future lies in the NBA.
Mario Hezonja's next team will be in the NBA despite recent noise across Europe about his future, according to BasketNews sources.
Mario Hezonja
Position SF
Age 31
Height 206 cm
Weight 110 kg
Birth place Dubrovnik, Croatia
Sources indicate there is confidence that Hezonja fulfilled all the necessary conditions to activate the NBA exit clause in his long-term contract with Real Madrid before Monday's deadline, paving the way for his departure from the Spanish club.
While Hezonja has not yet finalized an agreement with a specific NBA team, BasketNews sources expect his next destination to become clear once LeBron James makes a decision on his future.
Several teams remain in a holding pattern as they wait for James' choice, creating a domino effect across the NBA free-agent market that has also delayed Hezonja's move, as Marc Stein reported earlier.
Despite reports in Europe speculating that Hezonja could ultimately pursue a move to another EuroLeague club, BasketNews sources maintain that his future lies in the NBA.
Sources say Hezonja turned down offers from three EuroLeague clubs to sign conditional contracts that would have taken effect only if his NBA stint ended prematurely. Confident that he would establish himself in the NBA, he viewed such negotiations as unnecessary.
Returning to the NBA has been Hezonja's priority for the past several years, which is why he negotiated an NBA exit clause into his long-term contract with Real Madrid. The clause, valid each summer through 2029, allowed him to leave for the NBA until July 20.
Hezonja's EuroLeague stats
Hezonja just wrapped up a solid EuroLeague campaign, serving as a focal point in Real Madrid's EuroLeague title game run.
In the EuroLeague, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 23 minutes per night.
He proved his worth when the stakes were highest at the Final Four.
The Croatian forward dominated the semifinal matchup against Valencia, erupting for 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting. He added 7 rebounds and 3 assists flawlessly, committing zero turnovers in 31 minutes to post a massive 33 PIR.
He followed that up with another two-way performance in the title thriller against eventual champions Olympiacos, stuffing the stat sheet across the board with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and a 24 PIR.
Hezonja's NBA career
Selected with the 5th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Hezonja previously appeared in 330 NBA games across stints with the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers.
During his first NBA tenure, he posted averages of 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per contest.
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