By Stefan Acevski / info@eurohoops.net
Mario Hezonja has caused a real shock in European basketball, as on Monday he informed Real Madrid that he wants to leave the club and return to the NBA.
However, the Croatian did not do this in the right way and, according to “Marca”, it could even cost him his return to the USA.
This Monday, at the deadline stipulated in his contract, he informed the club of his intention to exercise his exit clause to the NBA by paying one million dollars. However, he has not presented an offer from any franchise nor has he paid that amount yet.
And that last detail seems crucial. The ACB collective agreement states that the communication must be made at the same time as the clause is paid, which has not been done. To try to solve this problem, Hezonja’s representatives have contacted Real Madrid offering to increase the amount to be paid to release the player.
So now the Whites hold the upper hand since the existing clause in the contract has not been fulfilled. They could get more out of the Croatian forward or, adhering to the regulations, retain him despite his wish to leave.
Also, mentioned by “Marca”, one of the options could lead to Hezonja ending up in another EuroLeague team. In his contract with Madrid, there is no exit clause for European clubs, only for the NBA. If he fails to establish himself in the NBA league and the franchise cuts him, he would be free to go wherever he wants.
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