The Spanish insider writes: The end for Hezonja at Real, he returns to the NBA

The decision was made before the deadline

Although Hezonja signed a long-term contract with the ‘royal club’ until 2029 last summer, there was a key clause in it – the possibility of going to the NBA. The deadline for activating that option was July 20, and the Croatian representative informed the club management of his intention. Departure is not free; compensation for early termination of the contract amounts to about 850,000 US dollars. This decision represents a significant turn, since his stay in Madrid seemed almost certain until recently. Everything was reported by the Spanish insider Chema de Lucas.

The more mature Hezonja as a tempting target

The interest of NBA fans this time is not only fueled by the raw talent that brought him to the league as the fifth pick of the 2015 draft. Clubs are reportedly impressed not only by his basketball skills, butć and much more positive feedback about his maturity off the field. Hezonja returns as a more complete player, ready to immediately assume an important role.

Behind him is a fantastic season in which he was one of Real’s leading players on the way to the Euroleague final, scoring an average of 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23 minutes on the floor. He proved his worth when it mattered most, at the Final Four. In the semi-final against Valencia, he dominated with 25 points (8/14 shooting), seven rebounds and three assists without a single turnover for an impressive utility index of 33. In the dramatic final against Olympiacos, he was also versatile with 19 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Changes in Madrid as a key factor

The key reason for the sudden change of plan, according to sources close to the club, lies in changes within the Real Madrid organization. The departure of the head coach Sergia Scariolaan expert whom Hezonja highly valued, was allegedly the decisive factor that prompted him to more seriously consider returning across the Atlantic. Although he considered returning in previous years, this summer his camp was much more aggressive in looking for recruits, actively initiating contacts with NBA clubs.

Second term and return to the biggest stage

This will be Hezonji’s second attempt in the NBA. In the first mandate, from 2015 to 2020, he did not fully meet the high expectations. In five seasons for the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers, he played a total of 330 games, averaging 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.5 minutes on the floor. His game was not consistent enough then, and he lacked a more reliable outside shot. The years spent in Europe, first in Greece and Russia, and then a four-year episode in Real Madrid, shaped him into a more mature and complete player. The return at the age of 31 therefore represents an opportunity for him to prove that he can now leave a significantly deeper mark in the strongest league in the world.