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2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Mario Hezonja

By Zach Palmer

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 1: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the game on April 1, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 1: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the game on April 1, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets
BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 1: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the game on April 1, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After an abysmal 2017 season, Mario Hezonja looks to be hanging onto his NBA career by a thread. Can he turn it around and prove his worth as a former top-5 pick?

What a difference a year makes.

It was only two years ago Orlando Magic fans, and many other NBA observers were extremely excited about Mario Hezonja. Hezonja, the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, was known as a young, brash, sweet-shooting, athletic wing, with little playing time for Barcelona in Spain.

Hezonja, erupted a few times in Spain and it seemed as though his game would translate far better to the NBA than it did in Europe. Especially with the emphasis on playing older veterans in Europe. Leading up to the draft, Hezonja made a myriad of statements that endeared himself to NBA fans, including saying soccer star Lionel Messi should come see him play instead of Hezonja going to see him play.

After a solid rookie season, many expected to see Hezonja take a big leap last year. But things did not materialize that way. Hezonja by almost any measure was one of the worst players in the entire NBA last season. Hezonja shot 35 percent overall from the field last year and only 30 percent from deep to pile on.

There are plenty of reasons why Hezonja could have struggled last year including coach Frank Vogel’s new offensive system. Hezonja was far from the only Magic player to post unbelievably bad numbers from the field last year. Additionally, Hezonja was playing on the bench with the worst net rating in the NBA last year.

Heck, recently Hezonja revealed he played the entire season through some kind of tendon injury. So again, there are plenty of reasons for Hezonja to have struggled last year.

But with a new regime led by president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman in charge, Hezonja is now on short notice. Hezonja is not guaranteed a spot in the rotation thanks to the roster Weltman and company constructed. If Hezonja ends up playing he will have to earn it.