Mario Hezonja set for NBA return after Real Madrid exit
Mario Hezonja is heading back to the NBA after informing Real Madrid he will exercise his opt-out clause. The former No. 5 overall pick, now 31, is leaving despite a deal running through 2029, with his buyout reportedly set at $850,000, per reporting cited by Yahoo Sports.
Key Takeaways
- Hezonja told Real Madrid he will use his NBA opt-out, according to Chema de Lucas.
- His NBA buyout is reportedly $850,000 even though his Real Madrid contract runs until 2029.
- He helped Real Madrid reach the 2025-26 EuroLeague Finals and won Liga Endesa Regular Season MVP.
- In five prior NBA seasons with Orlando, New York, and Portland, he averaged 6.9 points per game.
- Contenders seeking experienced wing depth could pursue the versatile Croatian forward.
Why is Mario Hezonja leaving Real Madrid now?
According to Chema de Lucas, as reported by Yahoo Sports, Hezonja has informed Real Madrid that he will exercise his NBA opt-out clause. The Croatian forward remains under contract until 2029, but the buyout tied to an NBA return is reportedly $850,000.
Hezonja reportedly received serious NBA interest last season and chose to stay in Madrid. That call paid off: he helped Los Blancos reach the 2025-26 EuroLeague Finals and was named Liga Endesa Regular Season MVP, reinforcing his status as a high-level European two-way forward.
What does his previous NBA career look like?
Orlando selected Hezonja fifth overall in 2015. Across five seasons with the Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers, he averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 330 games on modest shooting splits.
His best NBA season came in 2017-18 with Orlando, when he posted career highs of 9.6 points per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from three. Before joining Real Madrid, he spent one season with Panathinaikos in Greece and another with UNICS Kazan in Russia.
Which NBA teams could chase Mario Hezonja?
During EuroBasket 2025 qualifying with Croatia, Hezonja averaged 30.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. That production helps explain why NBA title contenders may see him as ready-made wing depth rather than a developmental prospect.
Some coverage has already floated the Cleveland Cavaliers as a fit, arguing the 6-foot-8 forward could mirror the 3-and-D jumbo role left by Dean Wade. With Real Madrid last season, he averaged 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and one steal on 46.5 percent shooting and 36.6 percent from three.
Hezonja profiles as a floor-spacing forward who can knock down threes, attack the rim, and defend multiple positions. For more league movement and game alerts, visit our Streaming & TV Alerts hub as teams begin weighing veteran wing options.