Free agent guard/forward Mario Hezonja may be nearing a contract with Russian club CSKA Moscow, according to international reporter Josh Halickman of SportsRabbi.com.
Hezonja, 25, is 6-foot-8 and was selected by the Orlando Magic with the fifth overall pick in 2005. He has had an uneven NBA career since then, appearing in 53 games with the Portland Trail Blazers last season, compiling averages of 4.8 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Along with the Magic and Blazers, Hezonja served a one-season stint with the Knicks (2018-19). He was actually traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in November, but was waived before arriving.
With Hezonja seemingly drawing little interest in free agency, signing overseas for the time being may be his best option.
CSKA Moscow’s roster has several former NBA players already, including center Joel Bolomboy, shooting guard Darrun Hilliard and point guard Mike James.
But James and CSKA could be headed for a split, Halickman added. That would perhaps open the door for Hezonja.