By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
After a few days of uncertainty, it seems the Mario Hezonja saga has come to an end. The Croatian star, formerly a player of Real Madrid, appears on the NBA’s transactions page as the newest player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Hezonja’s departure from the Spanish club has had its complications. Real Madrid hadn’t received the money before July 20th, the deadline for submitting an offer and depositing the buyout clause, but it seems Hezonja is now a Cleveland Cavaliers player.
Real Madrid stated on Friday, July 31, bidding farewell to one of its best players of recent years:
Real Madrid C.F. and Mario Hezonja have agreed to end his time as a player for our club.
Hezonja joined Real Madrid in the 2022-2023 season and, in his four seasons wearing our shirt, won six titles: one Champions League, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and two Spanish Super Cups.
Real Madrid wishes him and his family all the best in this new chapter of their lives.
The NBA was aware of a possible ‘bridge’ to another Euroleague team if he secured a contract that would allow them to cut him and sign with another team in the top European competition, but as Shams reported last Sunday, Hezonja has signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Ohio team.
Hezonja, 31, is coming off one of the best individual seasons of his career, winning the ACB MVP and leading his team to the Euroleague Final Four held in Athens, but Real Madrid failed to win any titles for the first time in the last 16 years.
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