After uninspiring stints in New York, Orlando, Mario Hezonja is more than ready to return
Mario Hezonja was expected to be one of the top prospects when he entered the league in 2015. However, the Croatian forward did not reach the expectation that were set as he had five uninspiring seasons in Orlando, New York and Portland. Hezonja was the 5th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft and appeared in 193 career games before making the decision to return to Europe.
Hezonja has the talent to excel in a role in the NBA. He has been shooting the ball in an excellent rate and his size makes him a difficult cover for even the NBA standards. The former Knick accepted a lesser role in Real Madrid and made his way to three consecutive championship games in the EuroLeague.
That said, there's already a notion in the European media that he could make his return to the NBA this offseason as his deal with Real Madrid is coming to an end. He finished his EuroLeague campaign with averages of 13.5 points on 43.1% shooting from deep through 38 games. He showed the maturity you need in a winning environment, and the 76ers fan base might suit him.
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β Dionysis Aravantinos (@AravantinosDA) February 3, 2023
Hezonja reminds me of a more polished version of Bojan Bogdanovic who played for the Knicks the previous season. He's a lethal shooter who can create his own from the three-point line, while standing at 6' 9. The Sixers are in need of shooters in the wing position and Hezonja might be the answer if he wants to return to the NBA.
The Croatian will not be under contract this offseason, so Philadelphia is not needed to pay his club to release him.