Mario Hezonja: Nearly Stayed at Real Madrid, on Scariolo and His NBA Return
Mario Hezonja has revealed he came very close to extending his contract with Real Madrid and removing his NBA exit clause — a move that could have seen him stay in the Spanish capital for years. Instead, he has chosen to head back to the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Almost stayed in Madrid
Hezonja says talks with the club nearly produced a new deal without the NBA release, and for a moment he imagined retiring in Madrid. The thought of putting down roots there was real; he spent four seasons with the club and felt he could have comfortably stayed much longer.
Why he chose to return to the NBA
The decision to leave wasn’t tied to the coaching shuffle. Hezonja made clear that the exit of Sergio Scariolo and the arrival of Pedro Martínez didn’t drive him away. He only had one phone conversation with Martínez — someone he already respected from facing him in competition — and that meeting didn’t change his plans.
What pushed Hezonja back to the NBA was timing and opportunity. Cleveland kept close contact and showed interest over the years, and although he had an opportunity to leave earlier, he stayed out of loyalty when the team was fighting for a spot. Now he feels the timing is right to return.
He’s currently with the Cavaliers for preseason in Malaga and has enjoyed revisiting familiar places, but he admits he’s eager to get back to the United States and settle in with his new team.
Beyond basketball, Hezonja spoke warmly about the people at Real Madrid — the behind-the-scenes staff, trainers and club doctors who became like family. Those relationships mean a lot to him and will remain important long after he’s left the club.
