Croatian forward Mario Hezonja, the fifth overall pick of the 2015 draft, has informed Real Madrid that he’ll be returning to the NBA in 2026/27, according to Chema de Lucas (Twitter link).
Hezonja, a five-year veteran who last played for Portland in 2019/20, has spent the last four years with Real Madrid after one-year stints with Panathinaikos in Greece and UNICS Kazan in Russia. He averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 minutes in 18.5 minutes per game across 330 NBA appearances.
Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews reported a couple weeks ago that Hezonja was actively seeking an NBA return in part because Real Madrid decided to part ways with head coach Sergio Scariolo, a former NBA assistant.
The 31-year-old is technically under contract with Real Madrid until 2029 but his deal contains an NBA out clause in the range of $850K, sources tell Urbonas, which is the standard for international players crossing the Atlantic.
Hezonja reportedly drew “serious” NBA interest last spring but decided to remain with Los Blancos. He helped Real Madrid reach the EuroLeague championship game in 2025/26 and was named Most Valuable Player of the Liga Endesa regular season.
According to Urbonas, Hezonja has once again drawn interest from “numerous” NBA teams this summer. In addition to being intrigued by his “basketball tools and positional size,” Urbonas hears NBA clubs have given Hezonja positive reviews for his improved maturity off the court.
Mavs must be signing this guy to add to their Euro roster.
Some guys never hit maturity. Guess it better late than never for Mario. You can come off the bench in HOU, fine by me.
Which of these former teammate trios would you rather have on your team if you could have them for their entire careers?..
Mario Hezonja/Bojan Bogdanovic/Dario Saric… link to youtube.com
Liam McNeeley/Asa Newell/Derik Queen.. link to youtube.com
Aaron Holiday/Jrue Holiday/Justin Holiday
Tywon Lawson/Danny Green/Tyler Hansbrough.. link to youtube.com
Ryan Nembhard/Nickeil Alexander-Walker/Lu Dort
Muggsy Bogues/Reggie Williams/David Wingate.. link to youtube.com
LaMelo Ball/Lonzo Ball/LiAngelo Ball.. link to youtube.com
Kenny Anderson/Brian Oliver/Dennis Scott… link to youtube.com
Rank a top3 if possible…
Can’t sleep, I’ll play.
Kenny Anderson & gang …. most folks could have forgotten how dynamic Kenny was. Scott’s threes are a bonus.
I’m tempted to choose the Ball brothers, just because you get Lavar as a guaranteed throw-in …. there won’t be one boring day having Lavar in the sidelines.
Kenny Anderson & co (Lethal Weapon 3) are a huge reason why I love the game of basketball so much. That was the 1st team I was ever a fan of. It’s a trip none of my teams seen that much success since :(
LaVar always a bonus lol
8
6
1
The Canadians followed by the tar heels
There are many teams i could see him theoretically fitting as a wing piece, but the timing is interesting considering how many spots are left
I feel like telling Real Madrid of all Euro clubs you’re going back to the NBA suggests he’s already got a deal from somebody sealed up, or enough interest to back up leaving a stellar stable club for the L; did LBJ just get Super Mario a job?? Lmao..says he flirted last year at the deadline, right, so Heat would be my guess; longest odds would be Magic and Knicks imo 😂
Still won’t get any playing time. That’s the NBA for ya
He wasn’t good when he was in the NBA.