Mario Hezonja has returned to the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers at age 31, standing 2.06 meters tall and weighing 118 kilograms—gaining eight centimeters and 32 kilograms since his first stint in the league at age 20, when he measured 1.98 meters and weighed 86 kilograms. The Croatian forward, who left Real Madrid this summer, addressed media members on Tuesday, September 30, during the team’s preseason training camp at The Embassy in Fuengirola, Málaga, declaring that he wants to be a useful piece to help win games.
While the player acknowledged that the exit of Sergio Scariolo was an unexpected change and confirmed he spoke by phone with new coach Pedro Martínez—whom he described as a great coach—he clarified that his departure from the Spanish powerhouse was driven entirely by his long-standing desire to test himself once more in the United States.
Cleveland Preseason Camp in Málaga
The Cleveland Cavaliers traveled to southern Spain to conduct their minicamp at The Embassy, a high-performance training facility in Fuengirola co-founded by former Spanish national team players Berni Rodríguez and José Calderón, who now works as an assistant to general manager Koby Altman. The franchise arrived at the Costa del Sol location with a full roster ahead of the 2026/27 NBA season, giving European fans a close-up look at stars including Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and newly arrived additions.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson praised the forward’s physical transformation, telling reporters that the veteran is built like a tank and cannot be moved easily in the paint. Donovan Mitchell similarly highlighted the newcomer’s physical strength, noting his ability to attack the rim, defend, and generate plays.
Reflections on Real Madrid and a Near-Extension
Hezonja revealed that his departure from Madrid came very close to not happening at all. According to his statements to marca.com and as.com, the club was on the verge of finalizing a contract renewal that would have removed his NBA buyout clause, leading him to believe he would finish his career in Madrid. He noted he could easily have stayed another 10 or 15 years.
The forward also explained why he turned down an earlier chance to cross the Atlantic. He had a major opportunity to leave 18 months prior, but chose to stay because Real Madrid was competing in the play-in tournament and he refused to abandon the team during a difficult stretch. El País reported that his departure contract included an 850,000-euro NBA buyout clause, and while club officials harbored concerns that the league might just serve as a stepping stone to another high-spending European side, Hezonja maintained that his sole focus was returning to American professional basketball.
Evolution From Draft Pick to Versatile Veteran
Comparing his current physical profile to his rookie campaign in 2015—when the Orlando Magic selected him fifth overall in the draft—Hezonja noted that he entered the league as a slender teenager whose game relied purely on raw talent. Following subsequent stops with the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers, where he logged 335 total appearances averaging 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, he headed to Europe to dominate with Panathinaikos, Unics Kazan, and Real Madrid.
Now carrying significantly more muscle mass and standing at 2.06 meters, Hezonja believes his expanded skillset—ranging from setting screens to spacing the floor as an outside shooter—brings the exact kind of tactical versatility that Atkinson’s system requires.
Escaping the Mediterranean Climate for Northeast Ohio
Addressing reporters in Málaga, where daytime temperatures hovered near 30 degrees Celsius at the start of October, Hezonja expressed little fondness for the local warmth.
While acknowledging that adjusting to the physical nature of NBA opponents will require time—noting that comparative assessments will likely crystallize around December or January—the forward insisted his professional future rests entirely in his own hands, his teammates’, and the coaching staff’s. The Cavaliers continue their Spanish training schedule through October 5 before returning stateside.
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