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New York Knicks: Five reasons to sign Mario Hezonja in free agency

By Maxwell Ogden

The Orlando Magic's Mario Hezonja (8) shoots against the Charlotte Magic's Dwight Howard at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, April 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic's Mario Hezonja (8) shoots against the Charlotte Magic's Dwight Howard at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, April 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 24: Orlando Magic Guard Mario Hezonja (8) slams down a dunk in the second half during the game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on February 24, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 24: Orlando Magic Guard Mario Hezonja (8) slams down a dunk in the second half during the game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on February 24, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Defensive Potential

Some may be running thin on patience with Mario Hezonja’s progression into a high-level player, but he’s still just 23 years of age. Thus, while the New York Knicks may not invest a four-year contract in Hezonja’s potential, he’s far from finished with his development.

If the Knicks are right to trust the current coaching staff, then it stands to reason that Hezonja could realize his untapped potential at The Mecca—including his upside on defense.

Hezonja admittedly hasn’t shown much on the defensive end of the floor during his three-year NBA career. There were clear signs of improvement during the 2017-18 campaign, however, and the advanced metrics are indicative of it.

Hezonja’s 1.8 Defensive Win Shares set a new career-high, as did his Defensive BPM of +0.2—the first time in his career that he’s produced a positive mark.

Furthermore, Hezonja’s Defensive Real Plus-Minus improved from -2.20 in 2016-17 to -1.30 in 2017-18. He also held opponents to 35.7 percent shooting on three-point field goals in 2017-18—just one season after after allowing assignments to convert 43.7 percent of their shots from distance.

Hezonja is still a negative defender, but for a Knicks team that’s looking to add size, length, and athleticism on defense, he makes sense as an upside signing on a reasonable deal.