Milwaukee Bucks: Xavier Munford deserves a real shot in the NBA

With the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly filling their two-way spots with other players, G League standout Xavier Munford is still deserving of a real NBA opportunity.

Xavier Munford was the Wisconsin Herd’s standout player throughout their inaugural season in the G League, and one of the more interesting players to emerge from that process in terms of the Milwaukee Bucks’ connection to the team, yet reports on Thursday suggest his time with the franchise may have come to a close.

Munford finished the 2017-18 season alongside Marshall Plumlee, splitting his time between the Bucks and Herd on a two-way contract. Plumlee’s time with the Bucks came to an end recently when Trevon Duval was signed in his place, and the reported addition of Jaylen Morris would indicate a similar fate for Munford.

Having recently turned 26, Munford likely has less room for upside than the Bucks’ new two-way duo, something which could certainly have been a deciding factor in the team opting for higher potential under a contract structure that’s tailor-made for development.

More from Bucks News

• Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
• Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
• Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
• Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
• New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited

Still, what Munford brings that neither Duval or Morris can offer is a proven ability to contribute at a professional level. The former Rhode Island Ram has put together an impressive professional résumé in the G League, overseas, and at international level, in spite of the fact he continues to wait on a meaningful chance to show his skills and stick in the NBA.

While reports broke of the Bucks signing Morris to a two-way deal, Munford was in Las Vegas alongside Khris Middleton and other NBA stars like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook at USA Basketball’s mini-camp. Munford was one of just two G League players invited to attend the prestigious event, which could certainly be perceived as a reward for his contributions to the national team of late.

Munford has been a key piece, and one of the few ever-presents, as Jeff Van Gundy has guided Team USA through FIBA World Cup Qualifying and the FIBA AmeriCup over the past year or so. Munford even picked up a gold medal as a part of that AmeriCup squad, and by all accounts he became a player frequently mentioned by Van Gundy when he discussed the team on TV and in other media appearances.

According to USA Basketball’s Kyle Ringo, Munford has developed a strong relationship with Van Gundy as the pair exchange text messages throughout the season. Van Gundy described the New Jersey native’s play style and contributions as follows:

"“He can play either guard spot. He’s got natural scoring instincts. When you need his best, he plays his very best. So, you can count on him to compete in adverse situations.”"

Munford shared his own perspective on working with Van Gundy and being a part of USA Basketball in an interview with HoopsHype’s Bryan Kalbrosky.

"“I’m so glad to have absorbed all of the knowledge from Van Gundy and the other coaches. He gave me the confidence to know that I am an NBA player and he enjoyed my game. He coached me heavily throughout the tournament. I was one of the main guys he was getting after, yelling [at]. I took it into account and it made me so much better. He was super influential.”"

Of course, that kind of appraisal from a respected figure like Van Gundy comes as no surprise to anyone who watched Munford suit up for the Herd in Oshkosh last season.

En route to a season where he collected Midseason All-NBA G League Team honors (the minor league’s equivalent of All-Stars), Munford played in 34 games for the Herd, averaging 24.4 points, 5.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range.

The Herd parted with significant assets (two first round draft picks) to acquire Munford’s rights prior to the season following a brief spell in training camp with Milwaukee, and he was eventually signed to a two-way deal with the Bucks in January.

In spite of spending plenty of time with the Bucks, who were dealing with an injury crisis at point guard, Munford played just 21 minutes across six games, adding to his previous NBA experience of 14 games with the Grizzlies back in 2015-16.

If Munford ends up back in the G League outside of a two-way deal next season, the Herd will hold his rights and he’ll return to Oshkosh, where he’s very much valued. As Herd GM Dave Dean explained to The Step Back’s Ti Windisch toward the end of the G League season, Munford is a player who holds a certain emotional attachment for the Herd, yet he’s also been able to perform at an incredibly high level for the team.

"“X will always hold a special place in my heart, in that he was the guy that we first identified, had him into training camp, and said, ‘We got to get this guy, whatever it takes’. So we traded two first round picks. People at the time were like, ‘That’s a lot.’ It wasn’t. It wasn’t a lot for X. He’s been probably one of the best players in the G League, and obviously we saw enough in him to give him a two-way contract.”"

Still, the reality is Munford deserves more than just a regular G League roster spot. A lucrative pay day from overseas could come his way — perhaps it already has and the Bucks have agreed not to stand in his way — yet between what he’s shown in the G League and with USA Basketball, it’s clear there’s plenty about his game that could translate to the NBA.

Obviously, Munford couldn’t be expected to score at the same clip in the NBA and would never have as large a role in everything his team does, but he could provide real value toward the back end of a team’s rotation.

Playing more off-ball would be Munford’s likely NBA reality if he was ever to get a real chance, and that would probably suit him too. With the Herd, Munford turned into a deadeye three-point shooter, capable of spotting up and knocking down shots off the dribble. Those skills have real value in the NBA, and combined with above average playmaking and rebounding, along with diligent and tenacious defense, it’s tough to see how there isn’t a spot for Munford somewhere.

None of that is to say there aren’t challenges — Munford is just a little undersized for a skill-set that would be best suited to a wing role in today’s NBA. Still, as we reach the point in free agency where teams seek rotation pieces on very cheap deals to fill out their roster, Munford is a proven scorer in his prime, who has benefited from time spent around NBA-style basketball and environments, and has experience of playing for his national team under high profile, respected coaches.

Considering the Bucks have a decision coming up in the form of a guarantee date for Brandon Jennings, a player who Munford vastly outperformed with the Herd, Munford may still be an option for the Bucks in terms of a training camp contract or a one-year deal. If it’s not in Milwaukee, though, there should still be a team willing to take a chance.

In a league where teams are constantly looking for value and any competitive advantage they can gain, even among more minor moves, if Munford can’t earn a real NBA opportunity following his recent exploits, it will likely say more about a wider tendency to recycle players from the established player pool for end of roster spots than it will about anything else.