Through the Phog
Fansided

Former Kansas star has challenging path with Bucks

By Nick Streeter

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 19: Frank Mason III #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives with the ball during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 19: Frank Mason III #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives with the ball during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Former Kansas basketball star Frank Mason III has signed a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. But with an already chasmic roster, Mason will need to quickly prove himself if he wants to stay in the NBA next season.

After being waived by the Sacramento Kings after two seasons, the former NCAA National Player of the Year has signed a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

In said two seasons with the Kings, Mason averaged 6.8 points per game, 2.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds.

His career thus far hasn’t exactly been a disappointment, but those who have closely followed his career know the 5-foot-11 point guard from Petersburg, Virginia certainly has more to offer than being a bench player for a below-average NBA team.

But as far as this upcoming season goes, Mason will have to prove his NBA worth primarily with the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

According to the G League website, players with two-way contracts can spend no more than 45 days with the parent club who signed them. The rest of those days during that season will be spent in the G League.

For reference, the three two-way players who signed with the Bucks last season saw a combined 133 minutes in the NBA.

With the point guard position being filled by veterans Eric Bledsoe and George Hill – and the Bucks having a full 15 man roster – Mason will have 0 guaranteed minutes with the club. That makes every one of Mason’s appearances on the court – whether that be with the Bucks or with the Herd – of the utmost importance.

And while playing an entire season in the G League would be a difficult situation for Mason financially, it can serve as a great opportunity for Mason to get his career back on a more advantageous path.

Last season, the Wisconsin Herd finished dead last in the league standings with a record of 12-38. If Mason could lead the Herd to more wins while putting up respectable numbers at the same time, that would significantly raise his stock in the eyes of his parent club.

To the Bucks, however, Mason is an expendable asset to the organization. If he fails under this two-way contract, they could trade him for a different young talent without blinking an eye.

But if he were to exceed expectations, their championship-level roster will acquire even more valuable depth at the guard position.

This is a league where each organization experiences roster turnover up to the last minute of the trade deadline. Whether that be because of injuries or restructuring, players such as Mason get moved around constantly.

This means Mason will be performing not only for the Bucks next season but for GM’s and coaches across the league as well.

The opportunity for Mason to regain control of his career is right there for the taking. That opportunity may consist of playing in front of 200 people a night instead of 20,000, but plenty of players have succeeded on this path before him.

In fact, 52% of players on rosters at the end of the season last year had G League experience, with one of those players being Buck’s starting point guard Eric Bledsoe.

Mason is still a young player who has the talent and maturity to have a great professional career. And knowing his track record over the entirety of his basketball career, it would be foolish to bet against him.

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