Fansided

Mario Hezonja is the new King of New York

By Jason Patt

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on February 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on February 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mario Hezonja will try to make a name for himself in The Big Apple.

Mario Hezonja came to the NBA with a lot of hype as the No. 5 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Hezonja never quite found his footing with the Orlando Magic, though, resulting in the Magic declining his team option for 2018-19 before this past season began. The youngster promptly showed flashes of why he was the fifth pick in the draft, and now he’s heading to the New York Knicks on a prove-it deal worth $6.5 million,  according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley.

The Knicks reportedly beat out the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies for Hezonja’s services, thanks in part to the presence of new head coach David Fizdale. The 23-year-old should also have a good opportunity to make an impact given star Kristaps Porzingis is recovering from a torn ACL and will miss a chunk of the season.

Hezonja will be looking to build upon his third NBA season in which he averaged a career-high 9.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game. This pseudo-breakout occurred after a truly disastrous second season that saw his minutes dip because of poor play. He scored only 4.9 points per game on 35.5 percent shooting in 2016-17 under Frank Vogel.

Hezonja got that shooting percentage up to a more respectable 44.2 percent this past season, though he stands to improve upon his just okay 33.7 percent mark on 3-pointers. He has had his moments shooting the 3, like when he hit eight triples in a December game against the Detroit Pistons, but he has to find more consistency.

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Hezonja will slot in at the 3 and 4 in New York. The 6-foot-8 Croatian played more power forward last season after playing primarily on the wing during his first two years, and that likely contributed to his greater success. If he can continue to improve, he could set himself up for a better contract in 2019 when more teams have cap space, or the Knicks may be willing to shell out a lucrative deal themselves.

Either way, this is a worthwhile gamble for the Knicks, and Hezonja is clearly excited:

Watch out, New York.

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