The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have both significantly stepped up their interest in Mario Hezonja, ONE reports, as the Croatian forward edges closer to a return to the NBA after six years in Europe.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, cited by ONE, the two franchises moved quickly once LeBron James took himself off the market — Hezonja is now described as a genuine target for both, rather than a fallback option.
James ended weeks of speculation on Friday by signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, calling it 'my last decision' as he begins a 24th NBA season. His choice freed up cap plans in both Cleveland and the Bay Area, and both front offices pivoted almost immediately to Hezonja.
The 31-year-old has reportedly positioned himself to clear an exit clause with Real Madrid worth around $850,000, clearing the financial path for an NBA move, though ONE notes the payment has not yet been finalized.
The Cavaliers had kept cap space open in the hope of luring James himself; with that gone, they are said to have redirected that flexibility toward Hezonja. The Warriors, for their part, are looking for forward depth and view him as what ONE describes as the most sensible target both professionally and financially given their own tax constraints.
Hezonja was the No. 5 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in 2015 and went on to play for the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers during a five-season NBA career. He then took his game to Greece and Russia for a season apiece before joining Real Madrid, where he has spent the last four years.
His European run has been anything but a step down. Hezonja won a EuroLeague title with Real Madrid in 2023, has earned multiple All-EuroLeague honors, and was named MVP of Spain's Liga Endesa regular season this year — a résumé that helps explain why two NBA contenders are circling.
ONE also reports that Hezonja's agent, Miško Raznatović, posted a cryptic message on social media invoking the 'knightly tradition' of Dubrovnik, the player's hometown — widely read by observers as a coded nod toward the Cavaliers.
Sources close to Hezonja quoted by ONE pushed back on the idea that the NBA buzz is merely leverage for a bigger European contract, insisting his priority is simply to get back to the league.
Nothing is close to done: Hezonja has not chosen a team, and neither Cleveland nor Golden State has confirmed an offer. But with the market unfrozen by James's decision, a resolution is expected to move quickly in the days ahead.
