2019 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Mario Hezonja: 2 years, $3.7 million (Portland Trail Blazers)
To make clearer the terms: It's a two-year deal, with the second year a player option. https://t.co/JgafbfHeKk
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
At the veteran minimum, the Portland Trail Blazers are doing well to help shore up their bench. While Mario Hezonja is a downgrade from Seth Curry, and the team will badly miss Al-Farouq Aminu as its starting 4, Super Mario will still be able to contribute after his breakout season in the Big Apple fell short.
Last season with the New York Knicks, Hezonja posted 8.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 58 appearances, shooting a dismal 41.2 percent from the floor and 27.6 percent from 3. He’s still only 24 years old, but time is running out before he’s labeled as a certified draft bust.
Hopefully in a winning environment in Rip City, he’ll be able to contribute to a more competitive team in a more concentrated bench role. With a player option for the second year, this will likely be a decent albeit unflattering one-year roll of the dice with no real consequences for the Blazers either way.
Grade: C+