Three years after selecting Kristaps Porzingis fourth overall, the Knicks will reportedly sign the player taken one pick later.
Former fifth overall pick Mario Hezonja has reportedly agreed to sign with New York, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Croatian swingman is coming off a career year in which he averaged 9.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the field. Per Wojnarowski:
The Knicks and Hezonja close out a tough recruitment, where several teams — including Portland, Sacramento and Memphis — competed for a fifth overall pick from the 2015 NBA Draft. Hezonja was drawn to coach David Fizdale, after going thru several coaching changes in Orlando.
New York adds Hezonja to a core that includes Porzingis (recovering from ACL surgery) and Kevin Knox, who was taken ninth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. Hezonja didn’t waste any time introducing himself to Knicks fans, tweeting:
Start spreading the news…I want to be a part of it, New York,New York! Very excited to be joining the Knicks and play for coach Fizdale! A dream come true!!
— 9:31 p.m.
