Free-agent forward Mario Hezonja has agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the New York Knicks, league sources told ESPN.
The Knicks are hopeful that Hezonja, 23, will fulfill the potential to become the complete player that made him the fifth overall pick by the Magic in the 2015 NBA draft.
The Knicks beat several teams -- including Portland, Sacramento and Memphis --- because of Hezonja's belief in coach David Fizdale and confidence that he can earn a significant role on the court for New York. He had five coaches in four seasons with Orlando.
Orlando declined its fourth-year option on Hezonja, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Hezonja, a 6-foot-8 forward from Croatia, played well during stretches of the 2018-19 season, averaging 9.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22 minutes per game. In 75 games, he made 30 starts and shot 44 percent from the field.
