As expected, Mario Hezonja’s departure from Real Madrid is not being easy at all. The club is refusing to let the Croatian forward leave, arguing that on June 20, the day his clause to go to the NBA expired, he only informed them of his decision to leave, but did not have any team in the American league confirmed nor did he pay the one million dollars to secure his release. In fact, more than a week later, he still has not paid.
That is why, according to Marc Stein, the agreement Hezonja reached with the Cavaliers this Sunday has still not been made official. The franchise was going to sign him to a one-season contract worth 2.8 million dollars gross. Despite Madrid’s refusal, people in Cleveland say they are taking the necessary steps to complete the deal.
To complicate the situation even further, the Greek outlet Sport24 claims that Hezonja will be waived shortly after signing with the Cavaliers, which would make him a free agent and allow him to commit to any team. In Europe there are quite a few, such as Dubai Basketball and Olympiacos, that are following the matter closely in case they decide to make a move for the small forward.
“Hezonja has decided to bring his spell at Madrid to an end because, even if the club keeps him, it is unthinkable that he would wear white again after this saga and the one he starred in two years ago when he came to sign an agreement to leave for Barcelona.
The rights to prevent the return bridge to the EuroLeague
In a recent conversation, the player’s representative even offered those in charge of Los Blancos basketball more money than the one million dollars set out in the contract to resolve the mess. However, Madrid proposes resolving it by keeping his rights in Europe, which would make it impossible for him to join another EuroLeague team without first speaking to them.
Another option available to Hezonja’s agents would be to take the case to court by invoking Decree 1006 in order to free their client. That most likely would not be worth it for them either: with three years remaining on his contract and a high salary, the compensation set by the judge would probably be substantial.