July 20, 2026, 8:44 p.m. ET
Former top-five NBA draft pick Mario Hezonja reportedly plans to leave Real Madrid for an NBA return.Hezonja previously played five seasons in the NBA for the Magic, Knicks, and Trail Blazers.The Croatian forward averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds during his first NBA stint.No NBA team has officially signed Hezonja for the upcoming season.
A former No. 5 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA Draft, Mario Hezonja seems intent on making an NBA comeback. According to author and insider Chema de Lucas, Hezonja informed Real Madrid that he will be leaving the club for the NBA.
However, no NBA team has officially signed the Croatian forward. In five NBA seasons between the Magic, Knicks and Trail Blazers, Hezonja averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 steals in 330 games, never living up to the hype of a top-five selection. During the 2025-26 season with Real Madrid, Hezonja averaged 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 28 games. Hezonja is still just 31 years old.
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