Mario Hezonja signs one-year non-guaranteed deal with Cavaliers; salary guarantees in November
Contract details and expected role
Mario Hezonja is back in the NBA after agreeing to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The deal is worth $2.8 million, but the full amount only becomes guaranteed if he stays on the roster past November 15.
Despite the non-guaranteed nature of the agreement, the Cavaliers appear to have plans for Hezonja beyond a camp body. Team insiders expect him to be a rotation player who can come off the bench and provide minutes at both forward spots, offering versatility and floor spacing.
Cleveland lost a multi-positional forward when Dean Wade left in free agency, so adding Hezonja gives them another wing who can handle different defensive matchups and contribute on offense as a shooter and secondary creator.
European form and what he brings
Hezonja arrives in Cleveland on the back of a superb season in Europe. He was named the 2025–26 Liga Endesa MVP after averaging around 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and nearly two assists per game during the regular season.
One standout performance saw him pour in 40 points while also grabbing double-digit rebounds and dishing out multiple assists, including a barrage of long-range makes. During his stint with one of Spain’s top clubs he passed the 300-appearance mark and helped the team win several trophies, including a EuroLeague title and multiple domestic championships.
Now he’ll try to turn that European momentum into a steady NBA role and earn a longer-term spot in Cleveland’s rotation.
