On October 26, 2005, he was traded along with a first-round draft pick in the 2006 NBA draft to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Jamaal Magloire. On January 6, 2007, Mason scored 28 points in a Hornets loss against the Indiana Pacers.On July 23, 2007, Mason signed a contract with the Bucks after a two-season absence. Initially angry with Bucks general manager Larry Harris for trading him in 2005, Mason said he was happy to be back in Milwaukee.