Mario Hezonja activates NBA out clause, leaves Real Madrid
Croatian forward Mario Hezonja, a 31‑year‑old former No. 5 pick in the 2015 NBA draft, exercised his NBA‑out clause on July 20, 2026. He paid an estimated $850,000 buyout (about €876 k) to terminate his contract with Real Madrid, which was originally set to run until 2029. The Spanish club will receive roughly $1 million, largely funded by the NBA franchise that signs him. Hezonja’s departure comes after a standout EuroLeague season, where he averaged 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 22.3 minutes per game and helped Real reach the Final Four. Multiple NBA teams, including those also linked to LeBron James, have expressed interest, though no specific club has been confirmed. Hezonja’s agent Misko Raznatovic negotiated the buyout. The move creates a significant roster gap for Real Madrid, prompting the club to explore replacements ahead of the 2026‑27 season.