SACRAMENTO -- Two point guards, one roster spot.
The Kings made the difficult decision to waive point guard Frank Mason early on July 4. A league source confirmed to NBC Sports California that Yogi Ferrell will not face the same fate.
Sacramento had until Thursday to either waive Ferrell or guarantee his $3.2 million salary for the 2019-20 season. The team opted for the latter, and will retain the 26-year-old point guard.
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After posting double-figure scoring in each of his first two seasons in the league, Ferrell struggled to find court time in Sacramento last year. He played in 71 games for the Kings, but averaged just 5.9 points and 1.9 assists in 15 minutes per game.
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It doesn’t appear that this season will get any easier for the fan favorite. The Kings landed reserve point guard Cory Joseph on a three-year, $37 million contract on the first day of free agency, and he is expected to play major minutes behind starter De’Aaron Fox.
With Mason leaving and Ferrell staying, Sacramento’s roster now stands at 13 players under guaranteed deals. That does not include either Kyle Guy or Justin James, as the two second-round picks have yet to sign with the club.