The Kings have parted ways with a 2017 second-round pick, announcing today in a press release that guard Frank Mason III has been released. Mason will become an unrestricted free agent on Saturday if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
Mason, 24, was selected by the Kings with the 34th overall pick in the 2017 draft. He had a promising rookie season, averaging 7.9 PPG and 2.8 APG with a .360 3PT% in 52 games (18.9 MPG), but lost his place in the regular rotation last season.
As Jason Jones of The Athletic notes (via Twitter), Mason was supposed to play for the Kings in the California Summer League this week, but was held out of action due to a sore right hip. His $1.62MM salary isn’t scheduled to become fully guaranteed for 2019/20 until October 15, per Basketball Insiders, so Sacramento won’t be on the hook for that cap hit.
With De’Aaron Fox starting at the point in Sacramento and Cory Joseph being brought aboard to provide depth at the position, Mason became expendable for the Kings. However, the team plans to retain point guard Yogi Ferrell, according to Jones (Twitter link). Ferrell’s $3.15MM salary for 2019/20 will become fully guaranteed if he remains under contract through today, which appears to be a lock.
Ferrell should have stayed in Dallas in Rick Carlisle’s offense where he was picking up steam and playing some 2. Dallas has other minguards now: Brunson Burke Barrea.
Sacto did double his income to 3mil but the Mavs just re-signed an injured Berrea for at least 2.5.
I wish Yogi had stayed in Dallas, but he’s doing just as well for the Kings, the only difference is Sacramento is only giving him half the minutes.
Barea has been great for the Mavs for several seasons, including the 2011 NBA Championship season. It’s pretty hard to find a backup PG for $2.5M that will give you 5 assists per game in just 20 minutes.
Funny seeing Frank Mason III on here and Darrell Arthur on a previous post. Former KU Jayhawks who couldn’t wait to get to the NBA though both were advised to stay in and become better. How many like this are BUSTS. Sad
Except Mason was a senior when he came out? How is this “couldn’t wait to get to the NBA”? He should have gone to the DLeague in anything first.
He was a senior bro get your facts right before you start hating on a guy
Frank Mason is a fine third string PG, with the right coaching system and stuff he could still definitely develop into a back up point. He could go to the Nets and play behind Irving and Dinwiddie. The nets have been pretty good and developing younger players