Mario Hezonja signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers: « Super Mario » makes his NBA return

Cleveland moves on after missing out on LeBron

The Hezonja signing comes directly in the wake of LeBron James‘ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers, ending weeks of speculation over a possible homecoming in Cleveland. With LeBron off the board, the Cavaliers — under GM Koby Altman and head coach Kenny Atkinson — quickly pivoted to their contingency plan.

According to insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, Hezonja had been on Cleveland’s radar as a top fallback option alongside Hawks free agent Jonathan Kuminga. The Cavaliers weren’t alone in their pursuit: the Golden State Warriors had also expressed interest in the Croatian forward. In the end, Cleveland won the race.

From a 2015 lottery pick to EuroLeague star

Hezonja was selected 5th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA Draft — a pick loaded with expectations for the Dubrovnik-born forward. His first NBA stint, split between the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers, yielded respectable but modest numbers: 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 18.5 minutes over 330 games. It was enough to show flashes, but not enough to secure a long-term role.

His move to Europe changed everything. At Real Madrid, Hezonja developed into a two-way weapon. He claimed 2 Liga ACB titles and a EuroLeague championship in 2023, cementing his status as one of the best wings in European basketball.

A career-best EuroLeague season in 2025-26

This past season was arguably the finest of Hezonja’s career. As Real Madrid reached the EuroLeague Final, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 23 minutes per game — putting up those numbers with efficiency that drew the attention of multiple NBA front offices.

His EuroLeague Final Four in Athens was the crowning achievement. Against Valencia in the semi-final, he dropped 25 points (8/14 FG), 7 rebounds, and 3 assists with zero turnovers for a performance index of 33. In the final against Olympiacos, he followed up with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, pushing Real Madrid to the wire despite the defeat.

Despite being contracted with Real Madrid through 2029, Hezonja held an NBA exit clause valid until July 20, 2026. He activated it early, turning down multiple EuroLeague offers from clubs willing to match or exceed his Madrid salary. His mind was made up: he wanted to prove himself in the NBA again.

The departure of head coach Sergio Scariolo — one of Hezonja’s most trusted mentors — from Real Madrid further accelerated his decision.

What Hezonja brings to the Cavaliers

For Cleveland, the signing addresses a clear need: a versatile, experienced wing who can defend multiple positions and contribute offensively off the ball. Hezonja’s growth in maturity is widely noted around the league — a far cry from the inconsistent young player who left the NBA in 2020.

At 31, he arrives in Cleveland not as a reclamation project, but as a battle-tested professional with a full EuroLeague résumé and an upgraded skill set. For Kenny Atkinson’s system, which prizes spacing, two-way effort, and positional versatility, « Super Mario » is a natural fit.

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