3 Washington Wizards that won’t be back next season

Raul Neto

If the Wizards are serious about building around Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, they can’t have Raul Neto starting playoff games for them.

Neto averaged a career-high 21.9 minutes per game this season with 8.7 points and 2.3 assists. Realistically, he saw too much playing time.

Still, he did play a key role on the team this year. He brought defense while providing valuable, versatile cover for the array of injuries the Wizards had to deal with. He made it viable for Russell Westbrook to rest when he needed.

He’ll want to be rewarded for his career season with a pay rise. However, Washington should be wary of giving it to him based on sentiment.

Sure, they signed him to be a third point guard and he outperformed that measure, but they still signed him to be a third point guard. He should still be a third point guard for a team like the Wizards, who are trying to make something happen for Bradley Beal and Westbrook while they can.

Neto will be rewarded for his play in 2020, but it won’t be the Wizards who do it.