Orlando Magic: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks
By Chip Murphy
7. Mario Hezonja (2015)
- Pick: 5th
- Orlando seasons: 3 (2015-2018)
- Orlando averages: 219 games, 18.4 minutes, 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 0.9 3-pointers made
- Orlando slash line: .418/.332/.837
- Picked before: Justice Winslow (10), Myles Turner (11), Devin Booker (13)
Mario Hezonja didn’t lack for confidence before he got to Orlando. According to SB Nation, when Hezonja was still playing overseas, he was asked by reporters if he ever went to see Lionel Messi play. He responded “Let Messi come to see me.”
The Magic had reason to be cautious with Hezonja. He was only 20 years old, and his numbers in Europe weren’t awe-inspiring.
Andrew Sharp of Grantland described Hezonja’s game as either a Croatian Kobe Bryant, a Croatian Klay Thompson, or a Croatian Jordan Crawford. In Sharp’s words, “One of these is right.” Unfortunately for Orlando, it wasn’t Bryant or Thompson.
Hezonja was another Magic rookie hurt by instability in the organization. He had two different head coaches in his three seasons in Orlando.
Before his third season, a new front office regime took over and declined his fourth-year option. Hezonja never finished higher than sixth in total minutes, and he was always stuck behind someone else in the rotation.
By the time Hezonja showed any flashes of the potential that made him a top-five pick, it was too late. But the but label can still comfortably be attached to Hezonja. He hasn’t proven anyone wrong since his departure, and any team would prefer Justice Winslow, Myles Turner, or Devin Booker over Hezonja.