Magic Ex Mario Hezonja Could Re-Sign with NBA Team

ORLANDO — Orlando Magic fans could find a familiar face back on their screens for NBA games next season.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, former Magic forward Mario Hezonja could pique some teams' interests in free agency this summer.

"Mario Hezonja, drafted No. 5 overall by Orlando in 2015, last played in the NBA in 2019-20," Stein wrote. "Don't be surprised to see him back in the league next season after stints with the Magic, New York and Portland. Hezonja spent the past two seasons at Real Madrid and is increasingly coming up as a free agent to watch this offseason when it comes to an NBA return."

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Hezonja, 29, last played in the NBA during the COVID-19 bubble with the Portland Trail Blazers, who made a first-round exit in the playoffs that year to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Throughout his career in the NBA, Hezonja averaged 6.9 points per game in 330 appearances with the Magic, New York Knicks and Blazers.

Coming into the league, Hezonja was seen as a potential star given his raw talent, but he was unable to develop properly while in the league. The Magic could never push the right buttons and Hezonja wasn't proving himself worthy of the opportunities.

Orlando declined his fourth-year option and he only spent three years with the team.

Since leaving the NBA, Hezonja has grown his game overseas in Greece, Russia and Spain. Now, he could be returning to the United States to see if his game can stick.

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