The NBA is approaching a pivotal part of the year with the 2024 Draft and free agency looming. Players' basketball fates will be changed and history will be rewritten. One such player with a storied history making a comeback is former New York Knicks forward and Real Madrid star Mario Hezonja.
Hezonja was once a highly touted NBA prospect, but after just five seasons, he pivoted to a deeper focus on the international scene. The 6″8 forward is coming off an incredible run with Real Madrid. After winning a championship with the club at the end of the 2022-23 season, Hezonja took his game to another level. The 29-year-old was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team for the 2023-24 season and will play in the Final Four for a second straight championship.
Furthermore, Hezonja was part of the 50-40-90 club during the season and will be a free agent during the summer of 2024. The talented forward is rumored to be on watch to make an NBA return once free agency hits, per Marc Stein. It would be interesting to see Hezonja return to the league after his hiatus.
Mario Hezonja started his NBA career in 2105 when the Orlando Magic selected him with the fifth overall pick in the draft. He did not meet the expectations many fans and analysts had for him but still built a sound foundation. Hezonja averaged 6.1 points and shot an NBA career-high of 34.9 percent on three-pointers during his rookie year.
Two years later, Hezonja had his most productive season. He averaged 9.6 points and shot 33.7 percent on three-pointers. Then, Hezonja embarked on a start with the Knicks after joining the team for the 2018-19 season. He spent one season in New York before making one final appearance with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019-20.
Teams could certainly use Hezonja's services if he turns to the NBA.
Where former 2015 NBA Draft lottery pick Mario Hezonja could fit in 2024
Mario Hezonja averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 assists, and one steal per game with Real Madrid in 2023-24, per EuroLeagueBasketball.net. The 6'8″ forward thrives as a scorer and secondary playmaker when needed. One team that could benefit from Hezonja's skillset is the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings have plenty of offensive firepower in De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, and Malik Monk (if he returns in free agency). Yet, having Hezonja as a sparkplug off the bench would do well for Sacramento. More specifically, his offense and playmaking could take pressure off backup guard Davion Mitchell.
Another team Henzonja could be a good fit for is the rival of his old Knicks squad: the Brooklyn Nets. Brooklyn possesses the services of Dennis Schroder and Ben Simmons as their primary playmakers. Like Sacramento, inserting Hezonja as a backup playmaker can help Brooklyn's offense flow better when their starters are out.
Furthermore, Ben Simmons' health is a concerning question. Hopefully, he remains injury-free during the 2024-25 season. Yet, if ailments strike Simmons, Hezonja could help fill some of the playmaking void he would leave.
It will be interesting to see how things play out as the 2024 NBA free agency period fast approaches.