Mario Hezonja has emerged as a potential NBA target for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors following LeBron James' decision to join the 76ers.
Mario Hezonja's potential NBA return is beginning to take shape, with two teams showing interest in the Real Madrid forward.
Mario Hezonja
Position SF
Age 31
Height 206 cm
Weight 110 kg
Birth place Dubrovnik, Croatia
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have registered interest in Hezonja.
"Another player getting interest from Cleveland and Golden State is Mario Hezonja," Charania reported.
Cleveland views Hezonja as wing option
The Cavaliers can now move forward with the rest of their offseason after missing out on LeBron James, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, and adding another wing appears to be among their main priorities.
"They also need help on the wing," Charania added. "Two players of interest: Jonathan Kuminga and Mario Hezonja."
Hezonja would offer Cleveland size, scoring and experience without requiring the same complicated sign-and-trade structure that could be necessary to acquire Kuminga.
However, the Cavaliers may have other possibilities under consideration. According to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, Cleveland has also discussed higher-profile targets whose names have not yet surfaced publicly.
Credit Alamy/Scanpix
Hezonja preparing for second NBA stint
Hezonja has made an NBA return his priority after spending six consecutive seasons in Europe, including the past four with Real Madrid.
According to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews, he fulfilled the necessary conditions to activate the NBA exit clause in his long-term Real Madrid contract before the deadline, clearing the way for a departure.
His next destination had been expected to become clearer once James made his decision, which had kept several teams and free agents in a holding pattern.
The 31-year-old was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
He appeared in 330 games during his first NBA stint, representing the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers while averaging 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per contest.
Hezonja later rebuilt his career in Europe with Panathinaikos, UNICS Kazan and Real Madrid, establishing himself as one of the EuroLeague's most prominent forwards.
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