{"id":793094,"date":"2026-07-22T16:03:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T16:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/793094\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T16:03:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T16:03:14","slug":"keep-a-close-eye-on-mario-hezonja-signing-with-the-sacramento-kings-the-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/793094\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep a Close Eye on Mario Hezonja Signing With the Sacramento Kings \u2013 The Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mario Hezonja informed Real Madrid that he\u2019s looking<\/a> to rejoin the NBA earlier this week.<\/p>\n

Before that, Hezonja, a Croatian-born forward, played five seasons in the NBA with multiple teams. The Orlando Magic drafted him in 2015 with the fifth overall pick. The Knicks signed him in 2018, and Portland did the same in 2019.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible the Sacramento Kings have genuine interest in signing Hezonja to a minimum-salary contract. One reason Sacramento makes sense is that their general manager, Scott Perry, was the vice president of the Magic when they drafted Hezonja. Perry later served as the Knicks\u2019 general manager from 2017-2023, encouraging Hezonja to sign with the Knicks instead of the Kings.<\/p>\n

Scott Perry on Hezonja signing: \u201cI spent two years with him. I know him as a player and person. I know what drives him. I saw him go through tough times not playing much, he still was coming to the gym back at night and held belief in himself.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) July 10, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n

Hezonja\u2019s Time in the NBA<\/p>\n

Hezonja stands 6-foot-9, playing small forward and power forward during his NBA career. Since leaving the NBA, he\u2019s made a name for himself overseas, playing for several teams, including Greece\u2019s Panathinaikos, Russia\u2019s UNICS, and Spain\u2019s Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

Coming into the 2015 NBA draft, teams were intrigued by his shooting ability, as well as his athleticism and ball handling. Aside from a few standouts like Karl Anthony-Towns<\/a> and Devin Booker<\/a>, the draft lacked star power. Scouts widely regarded him as one of the best shooters in his class.<\/p>\n

Before the draft, he shot<\/a> a higher percentage from 25-29 feet from the hoop than 20-24 feet.<\/p>\n

More than a decade later, it\u2019s still necessary to wield players that can stretch the floor. Hezonja provides that and more. With a quick first step, he can burn defenders closing out on potential shot attempts and use his frame to finish in the interior.<\/p>\n

In transition, Hezonja utilizes speed to race to the rim and throw down dunks \u2014 just ask Giannis Antetokounmpo.<\/a><\/p>\n

Hezonja\u2019s first stint in the NBA ended after the 2019-2020 season. He averaged close to 16 minutes per game, one of his lowest career marks. He felt<\/a> exasperated, but had the opportunity to revitalize his career in Greece, playing for Panathinaikos.<\/p>\n

Hezonja\u2019s European Progression<\/p>\n

During his time in Europe, Hezonja\u2019s playing style has matured. He showed flashes of defensive potential in the NBA, but prioritized his offensive game instead. Overseas, he\u2019s blossomed into the two-way specialist that scouts believed he could be.<\/p>\n

During the 2025 EuroBasket qualifiers, Hezonja averaged<\/a> 30.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game for Croatia. Hezonja is an incredibly versatile scorer and his play on the European circuit solidified that notion. His two steals per game are a testament to his growth as a defender, showing he can guard multiple positions without much trouble.<\/p>\n

Hezonja averaged<\/a> 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season. He helped Real Madrid reach the EuroLeague Championship game before falling to Olympiakos, led by former Sacramento King Sasha Vezenkov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s the prototype of a player teams always look for to pounce upon: a larger wing who can make an impact on both sides of the ball. Hezonja has progressed as an off-ball mover, navigating through the defense to gain position and receive passes from teammates. His talented shot creation ability hasn\u2019t lost a beat in Europe, making him one of the most multi-faceted free agents on the market.<\/p>\n

Hezonja racked up notable accolades in Europe, like the 2025-26 Spanish League MVP and being named to the 2023-24 All-EuroLeague Second Team. Recently, he earned MVP honors<\/a> in the first round of 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, putting up an 11-point, 10-rebound and 12-assist triple-double.<\/p>\n

The former lottery pick returns to the NBA with an improved game and a chip on his shoulder. He would likely sign for a veteran minimum contract, essentially a \u201cprove-it\u201d deal. He is in the middle of his prime with Europe in his back pocket, meaning he has nothing to lose.<\/p>\n

Latest on former No. 5 overall pick Mario Hezonja per league sources:<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc0 Hezonja indeed expected to rejoin the NBA for the first time since 2019-20.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc0 Multiple NBA teams have shown interest in the Real Madrid forward.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc0 List said to include teams also pursuing LeBron James. pic.twitter.com\/le0tCT8FYi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hezonja\u2019s Fit on the Kings<\/p>\n

Should the Kings land Hezonja, he will likely receive substantial minutes from Day 1. The Kings are in dire need of wings to provide defensive support off the bench. The second unit has a group of Hezonja, Malik Monk<\/a>, Emanuel Sharp<\/a>, Precious Achiuwa<\/a> and Maxime Raynaud<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hezonja could work well with Monk, who\u2019s a phenomenal playmaker who\u2019s always looking to make the right pass. With his new off-ball mechanics, Hezonja knows how to swerve to his spots beyond the arc and space the floor. He\u2019d likely take on the role of secondary scorer, capitalizing on the pressure primary ball handlers create and working in open space.<\/p>\n

For years, Hezonja has played with European bigs who possess similar skillsets as Raynaud. Without so much as glancing at the playbook, he would know how to meet the young center\u2019s needs. The offense runs through Raynaud, though he isn\u2019t the one taking the ball up the floor.<\/p>\n

For Hezonja, it all comes back to understanding how to fit the role, knowing when to move off-ball and when to show off his isolation scoring. The veteran forward won\u2019t take a second chance in the NBA for granted, and he\u2019ll exhibit the tenacity necessary to prove his worth.<\/p>\n

Keep a close eye on Hezonja to the Kings. They know his fit off the bench would be a welcome sight for fans.<\/p>\n