The Orlando Magic have officially signed free agent guard Frank Mason III to a two-way contract, according to President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman. The terms of the deal are not disclosed, per team policy. In addition, the Magic have waived guard Jordan Bone to make room for Mason on the roster. Mason appeared in nine games last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 6.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 3.2 APG in 13.1 MPG. Mason also played and started in 23 games with Wisconsin of the NBA G League, averaging 26.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.0 APG, and 1.13 SPG. in 31.5 MPG. The former Kansas Jayhawk shot 50.4% (212-421) from the field, 42.5% (77-181) from three-point range, and 81.5% (75-92) from the free-throw line. Mason was named the 2019-20 NBA G League MVP behind his stellar stat line.
Frank Mason’s Basketball Career
Mason kicked off his basketball career with a four-year stint at the University of Kansas (2013-17). In his four seasons, Mason averaged 13.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.5 SPG in 30 MPG, while shooting 42% (185-440) from three-point range in 145 career games. As a senior (2016-17), Mason played and started in 36 games, averaging 20.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.2 APG, and 1.3 SPG in 36.1 MPG. Mason was a consensus All-American in 2016-17 and the unanimous National Player of the Year. Originally selected in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft 34th overall by the Sacramento Kings, Mason has played in 99 career NBA regular-season games (two starts) with Sacramento and Milwaukee, averaging 6.8 PPG, 1.9 RPG, and 2.6 APG in 15.5 MPG.
What Frank Mason Can Bring to the Table
Ever since the loss of Markelle Fultz to a season-ending ACL, the Magic’s lack of a true Point Guard has been a glaring problem, so it seems that the Magic think Frank Mason can fill this need. Mason is a gifted athlete that has amazing passing and scoring skills that he had on display during his NBA G-Leauge MVP run. His assist numbers will only improve with talented scorers around him, including an All-Star level Center in Nikola Vucevic. As for his scoring, this is also an upgrade over Bone’s, which will help with Orlando’s offensive struggles. Vuecvic and Terrence Ross have been pleasant surprises to watch this season, but they can’t do all the offensive work by themselves. Mason’s production should hit career-highs, which will do wonders for the Magic while they are still without Fultz and Jonathan Isaac.
What This Means for Jordan Bone
After a disappointing stint with the Magic, Bone finds himself where he was at the beginning of the offseason: Free Agency. In fourteen games this season, Bone averaged 4.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG, and 1.3 APG in 14.0 MPG. Bone had limited playing time with the Pistons in his rookie, playing in just ten games. Bone could’ve certainly benefited from more playing time. The silver lining for Bone is that he did show other teams that he can contribute off the bench, even if his impact isn’t monumental. Bone hasn’t entered his prime or gotten a real shot to show what he can do in the NBA, with just turning 23. After all, Bone has played a total of 24 games across two seasons, so teams have to give him a chance.