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Mario Hezonja could add another dimension to the Toronto Raptors

By Mark Birdsell

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 23, 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 - MARCH 23: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 23, 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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The Plan for the Offseason

The NBA is in the midst of a basketball revolution. This past season the Toronto Raptors took the first steps in modernizing their offence. The next step is to continue to add the type of players that are required in today’s NBA.

The Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets are showing that you can never have too many 6’7” to 6’9” combo-forwards. In this new era of positionless basketball, wing players are at a premium.

If the Raptors decide to keep the team intact, they have a few options in order to make improvements. The team is without a 2018 draft pick. The Raptors have approximately $126 million in committed salary for next season. The team is over the projected luxury tax level and will be limited to the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, estimated to be about $5.29 million.

The Raptors will likely seek to resign Fred VanVleet this summer. I previously detailed the potential challenges the team will face in retaining VanVleet. If the Raptors are unable to come to terms with VanVleet, the team should look to add another multi-positional player to the roster.

The Raptors should consider signing Mario Hezonja. Hezonja is 6’8” with a 6’10” wingspan. Entering the 2015 NBA Draft, Mike Schmitz of Draft Express wrote:

“Standing 6’8 with a decent wingspan and a solid frame that could continue to fill out over time, Hezonja has outstanding size for a shooting guard. He’s also an effortless athlete who runs the floor exceptionally well, has nice quickness, and can finish plays above the rim, ranking among the most impressive physical specimens we’ve seen among European prospects in recent memory.”

Hezonja’s time with the Magic

Hezonja was drafted fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 Draft. He put up decent stats as a rookie under Coach Scott Skiles. Hezonja averaged 6.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 34.9 percent from three-point range in 17.9 minutes per game.

Unfortunately for Hezonja, Skiles was fired after the 2015-16 Season. He was replaced by Frank Vogel. Hezonja saw a reduction in playing time during his sophomore year and naturally this impacted his numbers across the board.

After another disappointing season, the Magic fired General Manager, Rob Hennigan at the end of the 2016-17 Season. He was replaced by Jeff Weltman and John Hammond. The new front office declined Hezonja’s fourth-year option after they were unable to trade him. As a result, Hezonja is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The Magic suffered a string of injuries this past year. This resulted in increased playing time for Hezonja. He began to show flashes of the potential which made him the fifth player drafted back in 2015.

Free Agency

The Magic have expressed a willingness to resign Hezonja. However, the team cannot offer him anything more than a contract starting at $5.2 million, the same amount as his fourth-year option.

Hezonja may want to sign with a team that will be able provide more opportunities for playing time. Aaron Gordon is a restricted free agent this summer, but will likely sign a long-term extension. The Magic also drafted Jonathan Isaac sixth overall in the 2017 Draft. Both forwards would be in front of the Hezonja in the rotation, which would limit Hezonja’s ability to get on the court.

ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 20: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on March 20, 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 – MARCH 20: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on March 20, 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) /

Better at forward?

When Hezonja first came into the league, he was viewed mostly as a shooting guard. However, this past season, Hezonja spent the majority of his time playing both forward positions.

As per Hoopsstats.com, Hezonja played one game at shooting guard, 38 games at small forward and 36 games at power forward. He started 15 games at each forward spot.

When given playing time, Hezonja thrived. In 30 games as a starter, Hezonja averaged 14 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals, while shooting 37.1 percent from three-point range in 30.4 minutes per game.

Hezonja’s best game came on February 12th against the Chicago Bulls. He scored 24 points, with 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. He also connected on three of his four attempts from beyond the arc.

It is not surprising that Hezonja has excelled when he plays at the four-spot. At 6’8”, Hezonja has enough size to play as a stretch 4. He is also an exceptional athlete and has the quickness to get by bigger, slower players.

Fit with the Raptors

Hezonja would fit perfectly with the Raptors. Serge Ibaka started at power forward this past season. He has become a respectable three-point shooter, but isn’t quick enough to guard smaller, faster players. Ibaka is more suited to play centre in the pace-and-space era of basketball.

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The problem with shifting Ibaka to centre is that the team already has Jonas Valanciuas who has two years and more than $34 million remaining on his contract. The coaching staff also needs to find minutes for Jakob Poeltl.

The Raptors already have two young, versatile forwards on the roster in OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Anunoby started 62 of the 74 games he played as a rookie this past season. He only averaged 5.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 20 minutes per game. However, Anunoby shot 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and looks like he will be an important member of the Raptors for years to come.

Siakam started 38 games as a rookie for the Raptors, but entered the 2017-18 Season out of the rotation. An early season injury to Norman Powell resulted in Siakam getting regular playing time. He became a key contributor as the season progressed and appears to have a bright future. Siakam’s major weakness is his jump shot. He shot only 22 percent from three this past season.

More versatility

Adding Hezonja to the roster would give the coaching staff three long, athletic combo-forwards. The league is moving further away from positional designations and it is important to stockpile these types of players.

Hezonja would also provide more insurance for the team. Ibaka was almost unplayable in the playoffs this past season. He averaged a pedestrian 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 26 minutes of action over 10 playoff games. Ibaka still has two years and more than $44 million remaining on his contract. It is unlikely the Raptors will be able to trade him this summer, without attaching another asset.

Instead of being committed to a player on the decline, the front office should look to the future. Hezonja is likely to be undervalued, but he should be able to succeed when given the opportunity. He may never develop into an All-Star, but taking a shot on a 23-year-old, former top 5 pick, with upside is the type of gamble that could pay off long-term.

Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ and the Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post. Stats were provided by NBA.com, Basketball Reference and Hoops Stats.