[REVISION HISTORY]
Hezonja signs with Cavaliers, ends NBA pursuit
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2026-07-26 18:28 UTC → 2026-07-26 19:25 UTC ·
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After activating his €850,000 buy‑out clause with Real Madrid on July 20, 2026, Croatian forward Mario Hezonja secured a one‑year, $2.8 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 24. The deal marks his return to the NBA after six years in Europe, during which he won the move ends a six‑year European stint that yielded a 2023 EuroLeague title, multiple ACB championships, championships and the a Liga Endesa MVP award. Hezonja’s move follows a brief period of competition between ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that the Cavaliers and Cavs outbid the Golden State Warriors, both of whom sought a low‑cost, versatile wing after Warriors for Hezonja once LeBron James’s departure to the Philadelphia 76ers freed cap space for Cleveland. His agent, Misko Raznatović, confirmed space. Hezonja returns to the signing NBA after 330 games with Orlando, New York and Portland, and his agent Misko Raznatović highlighted the player’s his Dubrovnik roots. Real Madrid has indicated it may consider hinted at possible legal action, alleging a procedural lapse in activating action over the buy‑out. The Cavaliers now buy‑out process. Cleveland, the recent Eastern Conference finalists, expect Hezonja to bolster their wing rotation and add a versatile stretch‑four capable of defending multiple positions and bringing European championship experience to a roster eyeing defensive options for a deep postseason run.
Versions
- 2026-07-26 19:25 UTC Hezonja signs with Cavaliers, ends NBA pursuit
- 2026-07-26 18:28 UTC Hezonja signs with Cavaliers, ends NBA pursuit
- 2026-07-26 11:12 UTC Mario Hezonja eyes NBA return, Cavs, Warriors compete
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