Mario Hezonja is giving the Cavaliers something their bench can use in a few different ways, and that’s the real story of his early return to the NBA. He’s not just spotting up and waiting for a pass. He’s working in the post, knocking down threes, crashing the glass and making enough secondary plays to keep Cleveland’s offense from becoming one-dimensional.
That mix matters for a second unit still sorting itself out. Hezonja has already given the Cavaliers a forward who can create a different kind of possession when the usual perimeter action stalls.
He’s averaging 1.2 post-ups per game, which comes out to seven total and ranks third on the team. In two games, he’s had five post-ups, the second-most on the roster, and his 2.5 per game are the second most of anyone averaging fewer than 20.0 (19.3) MPG.
That gives Cleveland another way to attack. If a smaller defender ends up on him, Hezonja can go to work inside the arc.
If the defense collapses, the ball can come right back out or find a cutter slipping toward the rim. It’s a different kind of release valve for an offense that doesn’t always want a guard forced into a late-clock shot.
It’s also something the Cavaliers haven’t really had since Kevin Love off the bench.
The key, of course, is knowing when to use it. The post touch is valuable when it leads to a clean look or keeps the offense flowing.
It becomes a problem if it turns into a possession that just dies on the block. That’s where situational awareness comes in.
Hezonja’s shooting has been part of the package too. He’s at 35.0% from 3-point range and has hit at least one three in every appearance.
That kind of floor spacing gives Cleveland a forward who can stay involved without needing a steady diet of touches. When he’s sharing the floor with Donovan Mitchell or James Harden, being ready for the catch-and-shoot chance is a big part of the job.
And he’s already made those shots count. Against Washington, Hezonja drilled a fourth-quarter 3-pointer during the decisive 9-0 run in Cleveland’s 121-111 win.
He only scored five points, but that basket came at the right time. He followed that with two 3-pointers and 10 points against Atlanta, showing how his outside shot can fit alongside his work closer to the basket.
The variety has shown up in the box score in different ways. Against Atlanta, he paired those two triples with a putback and a midrange fadeaway, while also grabbing six rebounds and handing out two assists. In Cleveland’s win over Milwaukee, the scoring was quieter, but the overall impact was still there: eight points, 11 rebounds and four assists, including four offensive rebounds.
Those extra chances have helped the Cavaliers keep possessions alive. Hezonja’s passing has also tied pieces of the lineup together, including a feed to Jarrett Allen around the basket and some setup work for perimeter looks.
He’s the kind of player who can finish a possession, extend one with a rebound or make the next pass to a better shot. His offensive rebounding rate sits in the 83rd percentile at 7.7%.
Cleveland’s bench already has a few different looks. Sam Merrill brings movement shooting, and rookie Meleek Thomas has shown he can provide quick scoring. Hezonja adds a forward who can score inside, stretch the floor and make a secondary read.
That gives the Cavaliers more ways to mix and match their reserves with the starters. He can space the floor next to a traditional center, post up against a smaller lineup or help move the ball when a primary creator draws extra attention.
There’s still cleanup work to do. Early turnovers have shown that loose execution can take some of the shine off the versatility. His offense will matter more if the decisions stay sharp and the defense holds up.
Even so, Hezonja has already delivered the kind of complementary production Cleveland can use. The post game changes the pace, the shooting opens the floor and the rebounding and passing help the rest of the group function. As the Cavaliers continue settling their rotation, that gives him a real path to a steady role.
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There is already chatter that Cleveland may not be done looking for another versatile piece on the perimeter, especially one who can complement the group without disrupting what has started to work. With the Cavs still sorting out how best to balance size, shooting and defensive flexibility around their core, any additional move would have to make sense both on the floor and in the bigger roster picture. [Read more 🡒]