Cavaliers' Mario Hezonja: Strong showing for Croatia
Rotowire
Hezonja recorded 28 points (8-13 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 12-15 FT), three rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes during Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.
The 31-year-old is returning to the NBA for the first time since 2019-20 after signing a one-year contract with Cleveland this offseason. Hezonja should have an opportunity to carve out a role on the wing following the departures of Max Strus and Keon Ellis, though he'll have to compete with Peyton Watson, Jaylon Tyson and others for minutes. After spending the last six seasons overseas, Hezonja's performance during training camp and the preseason should provide a better indication of whether he'll have enough of a role to warrant fantasy consideration.
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Cavaliers' Mario Hezonja: Minutes could be hard to come by
Rotowire
Cleveland's acquisition of Peyton Watson adds another versatile forward to a frontcourt that already has plenty of competition for Hezonja and others.
Watson is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 41.1 percent from three across 54 regular-season outings, and his new four-year, $88 million contract indicates he'll command a substantial role. Hezonja's path to consistent playing time consequently becomes more complicated, leaving him with limited fantasy appeal unless injuries thin Cleveland's rotation.
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Cavaliers' Mario Hezonja: Heading to Cleveland
Rotowire
Hezonja agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Cavaliers on Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Hezonja is set to return to the NBA for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign after spending the past six seasons overseas. The 2015 first-round pick earned 2025-26 Liga ACB MVP honors after a standout season with Real Madrid. In his return stateside, the 31-year-old is likely to serve as forward depth off the bench for the Cavaliers and could see his role increase if his scoring ability from Europe translates well.
