Cavaliers' Mario Hezonja: Scores 12 in preseason finale
Rotowire
Hezonja recorded 12 points (4-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two steals across 21 minutes in Tuesday's 132-116 preseason loss to the Magic.
Hezonja delivered a well-rounded performance off Cleveland's bench, making half of his four attempts from beyond the arc while contributing across several statistical categories. His six rebounds tied Jarrett Allen for the team lead, and he was the only Cavaliers player to record multiple steals. Although his overall shooting efficiency was modest, Hezonja showed an ability to contribute without requiring a significant offensive workload. His preseason production offers an encouraging glimpse of his potential value in a reserve role, and he's likely to see steady minutes as an offensive weapon off the bench once the regular season starts.
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Cavaliers' Mario Hezonja: Plays well off bench
Rotowire
Hezonja recorded 13 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 17 minutes during Sunday's 119-105 preseason win over Orlando.
Hezonja bounced back from a difficult preseason debut, contributing across the board while shooting efficiently from beyond the arc. The veteran forward displayed the versatility Cleveland hopes to utilize in its second unit, and Sunday's performance should help his case for consistent rotation minutes. However, his fantasy outlook will depend on how much playing time he can secure in a crowded Cavaliers rotation.
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Cavaliers' Mario Hezonja: In mix for rotational spot
Rotowire
Head coach Kenny Atkinson said Hezonja is "going to be in the mix" for a spot in Cleveland's rotation to begin the 2026-27 campaign, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reports.
The Cavaliers essentially have four of their starting five confirmed, and Peyton Watson (hamstring) appears likely to slot into that fifth spot. However, training camp will be important in determining who else fills out the rotation. Hezonja, the fifth overall pick in 2015, hasn't played in the NBA since the 2019-20 season but has plenty of experience overseas. The Cavaliers boast a deep roster heading into training camp, and players like Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson and Nae'Qwan Tomlin are all likely to challenge Hezonja for minutes. Furthermore, Craig Porter, Tyrese Proctor and rookie Meleek Thomas will also be competing for playing time off the bench.
