New Cavs Rumors on Mario Hezonja Interest Amid LeBron James Pursuit in NBA Free Agency

Real Madrid star Mario Hezonja is one of the Cleveland Cavaliers' contingency plans in the event they strike out in their pursuit of LeBron James, according to The Stein Line's Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.

The insiders reported Wednesday that Hezonja is on "the list of potential fallback options for Cleveland along with Hawks free agent Jonathan Kuminga."

The 31-year-old has played five seasons in the NBA across spells with the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 6.9 points on 41.7 percent shooting, including 31.9 percent on three-pointers.

Hezonja has found more success overseas. He helped Real Madrid win the EuroLeague in 2023 and capture domestic titles in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The 6'6" forward was crowned the Spanish league MVP this season after putting up 17.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest.

There's obviously a wide gulf between the playing resumes for Hezonja and James. But that's going to be the case for almost any alternative target to LeBron given Cleveland's lack of salary cap space.

The Cavs, who still need to re-sign James Harden, can't even offer the $6.1 million taxpayer mid-level exception without shedding some payroll first. ESPN's Brian Windhorst outlined the difficulty of a sign-and-trade scenario, too, because that would hard-cap the team at the first apron of the luxury tax.

Fans in Northeast Ohio will be disappointed if one of the Cavaliers' biggest outside additions is Hezonja.

Free agency was never going to be how the front office shakes up the roster, though, unless it convinces James to return. There's too much money tied up in Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — and presumably Harden.

Hezonja may fall squarely within Cleveland's price range when it has limited means at its disposal.