Milwaukee Bucks: Revisiting Frank Mason III’s 2019-20 season so far

Milwaukee Bucks: Revisiting Frank Mason III’s 2019-20 season so far – One big question moving forward

Even with two-way players being eligible to play in the remainder of the season and during the postseason, a first since the roster rule was instituted three years ago, it would have been hard to envision Mason holding any significant role down in Orlando.

But now, that thought appears to be in some question, especially in light of Eric Bledsoe’s positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

While Bledsoe has now joined his teammates in Orlando as of Wednesday night, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer recently discussed why they may have to potentially lean on Mason with their scrimmages starting this week before going into the seeding games in a recent media session over the weekend:

"“We feel like Frank is somebody that can step in and provide quality play for us. He’s a good player and he’s proven it throughout his career. But what he did this year as the MVP of the G League, that’s pretty special… So we feel confident that if we need Frank in a game, he’s going to be ready. He’s going to be able to help us. And we’re excited about him, having him and we know he’ll be ready.”"

So while Mason may end up getting some run initially in Orlando, how much will that convey into the seeding games or even going into the playoffs? The answer so far this season is that Mason hasn’t played many meaningful minutes, the Bucks’ last game before the season suspension notwithstanding.

That’s certainly not a knock on Mason’s abilities or anything as he’s proven to be an NBA-caliber player, especially this season after winning the G League MVP. But the Bucks’ and Bud’s vote of confidence in Mason filling spot minutes or under emergency situations hasn’t gone beyond those parameters to this point.