Cavs’ Raul Neto pickup can help preserve Darius Garland next year

On Friday, it was reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Raul Neto came to agreement on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, which wasn’t a notable signing, necessarily. It wasn’t one that was going to warrant near the level of noteriety of say, that of the Cavs-Ricky Rubio reunion agreement, which happened earlier on Friday.

The Rubio deal with the Cavaliers was for three years, and $18.4 million, with the third year being partially-guaranteed. It’s still reportedly a possibility that the Rubio deal could be a sign-and-trade with the Indiana Pacers, which could aid Cleveland when it comes to the Collin Sexton potential new contract with the team, from a luxury tax perspective.

That’d cut roster numbers, too, and suggestions of either Dylan Windler and/or Cedi Osman seem to be logical, in a sign-and-trade scenario centered on Rubio, whose expiring contract was involved in a trade near the past deadline with Indiana, as an aside. We’ll see what plays out regarding those possibilities, and with Sexton’s outlook; he’s currently a restricted free agent.

As far as the Rubio front, though, it was apparent that whether or not the team and Sexton/his representation in Rich Paul of Klutch Sports work something out, Cleveland could feasibly sign another lead guard. Rubio is rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered back in late December, and he might not be until January, so a team-friendly third lead guard signing would be viable.

Cleveland would then come to an agreement with veteran Raul Neto on Friday as well, of which was a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, as we noted. Neto was a rumored possible target for Cleveland, a takeaway from his addition was how he can help preserve Darius Garland, who agreed to terms on a rookie max extension on Saturday.

Neto can help preserve Garland next season for the Cavs, especially sans Rubio.

Neto is not a player that can be as impactful as Rubio in his minutes-share, feasibly until Rubio comes back. Rubio was great in a move to a supersub role for Cleveland last season prior to his injury, but Neto was a decent signing.

He had sporadic minutes in his time with the Utah Jazz over his first four seasons, however, he gave the Philadelphia 76ers some productive minutes in 2019-20, more so as a defensive piece.

With a more significant role with the Washington Wizards the past two seasons, though, he did a nice job with more opportunities. In his two seasons with the Wizards, Neto had 8.1 points and 2.7 assists in 20.7 minutes per outing.

Neto is more of a defensive addition, in fairness. In his rotational minutes and at times in spot starts with the Wiz, he’s done quality work against opposing lead playmakers, with his ability to dictate to players where plays go often, and he can get his hands on balls to create turnovers.

Neto’s had a notable steal rate of 2.1 percent for his career, and that was 2.2 percent with Washington. His recognition to guage those chances and hit could help Cleveland for stretches, particularly sans Rubio, I’d think.

On the offensive end, Neto is again, not Rubio as a playmaker, but he’s an experience veteran, and unlike Kevin Pangos last season, Neto should be a viable lead guard for some stretches sans-Garland.

Neto will be able to get the Cavs set offense ball and man movement going, and some two-man games between him and Evan Mobley could give Cleveland a lift. And similarly, those between him and former Wiz teammate Robin Lopez could be a nice rotational wrinkle for the Cavs at times.

Anyway, while it’s not going to be regularly 20-plus minutes when the opportunities come for Neto, he can help preserve Garland next season, who was more worn out as last season wore on. The same could go for Collin Sexton, if he’s back, to some extent, too.

The 30-year-old Neto, could provide some of a lift for the Cavs on defense, and as a table setter in non-Garland stretches, to reiterate. For added depth, whether or not he’d stick upon Rubio’s return, I’ll take it.