Milwaukee Bucks: G League may benefit two-way player Frank Mason III

As Frank Mason III looks to reclaim his NBA career as one of the Milwaukee Bucks’ newest two-way players next season, the G League could afford him the perfect avenue to regain his footing in that pursuit.

There’s an old adage that what’s one person’s trash is another’s treasure. By no means is that to be taken literally in this case, as that would be an incredibly harsh assessment of his abilities, but there’s certainly a sense of that when it comes to the Milwaukee Bucks’ pickup of third-year guard Frank Mason III.

Just two years after being selected with the 34th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2017 NBA Draft, Mason found himself without an NBA home after the Kings elected to waive him a few days into this ongoing free agency period.

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The writing had been on the wall for Mason throughout his sophomore campaign where he was phased out of the Kings’ rotation and did very little to impress in the rare opportunities that came his way throughout the year.

With that said, Mason took the demotion and lack of playing time in stride as his vital role in the Kings’ “Litty Committee” was just a peek into the chemistry and camaraderie the team built throughout what was the organization’s best season in over a decade.

Needless to say, a fresh start was needed for the 25-year-old to jumpstart his still young NBA career and that’s what he’ll be getting now that he’s joined the Bucks on a two-way contract.

Of course, as part of the two-way contract he signed with the Bucks, Mason will likely spend the vast majority of next season leading the Wisconsin Herd, along with fellow two-way player Cam Reynolds, who Mason spent training camp and preseason last year with when both were with the Kings.

That’s even taking into account that Mason does stand as the Bucks’ third point guard on their depth chart, behind veteran floor generals Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. Considering the work the Bucks have done to maintain a level of flexibility with their final roster spot in light of adding raw Croatian big man Dragan Bender, that’s not an insignificant note regarding Mason and where the Bucks’ roster stands going into training camp late next month.

Mason referred to the Bucks’ current point guard situation and their overall commitment to him and his development in a recent piece by Gary Bedore of the Wichita Eagle when holding a basketball camp back at his alma mater in Lawrence:

"“I love the Bucks’ chances for sure,” Mason said of winning big in 2019-20. “It’s been great so far. I’ve been with the staff hanging around the facility, getting to know everyone. It’s been great. The player development has been unbelievable so far. I’ve spent time in Milwaukee working out, getting better.”He said the team has made it clear he’s wanted.“That’s why they got me. They need an extra point guard,” Mason said."

But as it stands, Mason will have plenty room to operate as a main focal point and be catered to in a potentially high-usage role under new Herd head coach and former Jayhawk in his own right, Chase Buford.

It may come as a surprise to know that Mason has yet to garner even one second of playing time in the G League, even knowing his second-year struggles and after he fell out of favor in Sacramento under former head coach Dave Joerger last season.

After experiencing such a setback following an encouraging rookie campaign in his reserve role, the 2017 Naismith Player of the Year may profit from being given such an expanded role, rather than having to conform to a role on the NBA level that may be out of their comfort zone and/or skill set. The Herd, over their first two seasons of existence, have housed many players that have stood out while in the G League such as Christian Wood, Xavier Munford and James Young.

That obviously raises questions of whether Mason can reconfigure his game and fill the role of a third guard on an NBA team with a renewed sense of confidence, should he take well to playing in the G League, and we may get to see that at some point when next season finally rolls around.

In any event, Mason looks to be a nice, little project for the Bucks to take on at the end of their roster as he looks to regain some of the magic that made him a solid NBA prospect not that long ago.