Former NBA lottery picks rarely make it back after six years overseas. Mario Hezonja just did.The Cleveland Cavaliers signed the 31-year-old Croatian to a one-year, $2.8 million veteran minimum deal, bringing him back to the NBA for the first time since 2020. Jonas Jerebko of the Boston Celtics defends a shot by Mario Hezonja of the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at TD Garden on Jan. 29, 2016, in Boston, Mass. (Getty Images)Back in 2015, Super Mario was the fifth overall pick by the Orlando Magic. He entered the league with sky-high expectations, but the production never followed.DONOVAN MITCHELL SIGNS MASSIVE $273M CAVALIERS EXTENSION AS LEBRON JAMES RETURN SPECULATION GROWSIn five NBA seasons with Orlando, New York and Portland, Hezonja averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists (330 games) before the league moved on.Rather than fade into another draft bust, Hezonja headed to Europe and rebuilt his career. General Manager Rob Hennigan introduces Orlando Magic draft picks Mario Hezonja and Tyler Harvey during a press conference on July 2, 2015, at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. (NBAE via Getty Images) Mario Hezonja No. 8 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center on Feb. 6, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116-98. (Getty Images)Suiting up for Real Madrid, he developed into one of Europe’s top wings. He won a EuroLeague title, earned Liga Endesa MVP honors last season and established himself among Europe’s elite.NEW YORK KNICKS SWEEP CAVALIERS TO REACH FIRST NBA FINALS SINCE 1999 AFTER DOMINANT GAME 4 BLOWOUTNow he gets another shot.For the Cavaliers, it’s a low-risk move with interesting upside. Mario Hezonja No. 11 of Real Madrid is in action during a Liga Endesa regular-season Round 7 match against Surne Bilbao Basket at Movistar Arena on Nov. 16, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Getty Images)Cleveland gets a 6-foot-8 wing who has spent the past six years competing at the highest level outside the NBA. If he struggles to adjust, the Cavs can move on with little cost. But if this version of Hezonja translates, they may have found one of the offseason’s biggest bargains.The Cavaliers missed out on LeBron. They might’ve stumbled into something else.CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APPSend us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Alejandro Avila is a longtime writer at OutKick, living in Southern California.
