Real Madrid enters a crucial week to finalize part of its roster. Mario Hezonja's future remains uncertain due to his NBA exit clause, while the club is already considering Max Shulga as a possible alternative if it needs to strengthen its foreign player quota.
Hezonja has until July 20 to decide whether to exercise his NBA clause, valued at around €850,000. The departure of Sergio Scariolo, a change of agents, and comments from Misko Raznatovic, who has not ruled out a return of the Croatian to the United States, have once again placed his name at the center of the market.
At Real Madrid, the feeling is that the only realistic exit would be to the NBA. The player has a contract with the club, but if a convincing opportunity appears in the American league, the scenario could change before the week ends.
Hezonja's possible departure would also create another problem: roster spots. Madrid has added Jaime Pradilla, but Usman Garuba continues to be sidelined with a long-term injury, and the margin to comply with ACB regulations is not particularly wide.
That's where Max Shulga's name comes up. The Ukrainian shooting guard, who trained in Spain from a young age, could be considered a homegrown player and fits as an interesting option to strengthen the perimeter. He currently belongs to the Boston Celtics, although his role in the NBA has been minimal.
Shulga barely saw playing time with Boston, but did leave better impressions in the G League, where he stood out as a shooter with 40% from three-point range. He also comes backed by his NCAA career, where he shot 39.2% from beyond the arc over five seasons and averaged over 15 points in his final college year.
Real Madrid is waiting first for Hezonja's decision. But if the Croatian ends up taking the NBA path, Shulga emerges as a name that makes sense: roster spot, three-point shooting, and room to grow.