New Cavs Rumors on Mario Hezonja Interest Amid LeBron James Pursuit in NBA Free Agency

Real Madrid star Mario Hezonja is without doubt one of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ contingency plans in the occasion they strike out in their pursuit of LeBron James, in accordance with The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.

The insiders reported Wednesday that Hezonja is on “the list of potential fallback options for Cleveland along with Hawks free agent Jonathan Kuminga.”

The 31-year-old has performed 5 seasons in the NBA throughout spells with the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 6.9 factors on 41.7 p.c capturing, together with 31.9 p.c on three-pointers.

Hezonja has discovered extra success abroad. He helped Real Madrid win the EuroLeague in 2023 and seize home titles in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The 6’6″ forward was crowned the Spanish league MVP this season after putting up 17.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest.

There’s obviously a wide gulf between the playing resumes for Hezonja and James. But that’s going to be the case for almost any alternative target to LeBron given Cleveland’s lack of salary cap space.

The Cavs, who nonetheless must re-sign James Harden, cannot even provide the $6.1 million taxpayer mid-level exception with out shedding some payroll first. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst outlined the issue of a sign-and-trade state of affairs, too, as a result of that might hard-cap the group on the first apron of the posh tax.

Fans in Northeast Ohio will be disappointed if one of the Cavaliers’ biggest outside additions is Hezonja.

Free agency was never going to be how the front office shakes up the roster, though, unless it convinces James to return. There’s too much money tied up in Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — and presumably Harden.

Hezonja might fall squarely inside Cleveland’s value vary when it has restricted means at its disposal.