3 ways PG Raul Neto can help the Cavs next season

Last week, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a fairly significant move, signing guard Ricky Rubio to a 3-year, $18.4 million deal, with the third season partially-guaranteed. Later on in the day, the Cavs signed guard Raul Neto to a one-year, veteran minimum deal.

Personally, I am a fan of both acquisitions, but more so a fan of Neto’s signing. Neto averaged 7.5 points and a solid 3.1 assists per game in only 19.6 minutes per night last season with the Washington Wizards. He was the primary backup point guard for the Wizards last season, and occasionally started.

Like I mentioned earlier, the Cavs have also signed Ricky Rubio to a solid contract, and it would not hurt to have a 3rd string point guard on the roster. In case that either Rubio or All-Star Darius Garland (who was just signed to a new massive extension) get hurt, Neto will be there to get about 15-20 minutes a night to help out the roster. And that’s at least until Rubio returns from his torn ACL, which could seemingly be in January.

Here are a few ways on how Neto can help out the Cavs next season.

#1: Rotational playmaking

Raul Neto was a solid playmaker off the bench for Washington last season and the year prior. Like I mentioned, he averaged 3.1 assists in less than 20 minutes of play per night. Per-36 minutes, he averaged 5.7 assists last season, which is pretty good.

According to Basketball Reference, Neto averaged the 36th-best assists per-36 minutes in 2021-22, ahead of players such as CJ McCollum, Jalen Brunson, and Domantas Sabonis. In rotational play in relief of Garland, and especially before Rubio is back, Neto can help Cleveland in that regard, and get guys such as Evan Mobley and Kevin Love good looks.

#2: Team Mentality

Last season, the Cavaliers were all about team basketball, and being a grit-and-grind team. Focused on defense, the Cavs did well for themselves, having an above .500 record. Neto is a scrappy guard in himself, giving a lot of effort on the defensive end. He is only 6’1,” but that’s okay, and he can get his hands on his share of deflections/steals.

Per-36 minutes, Neto ranked 44th overall in steals, with 1.4. This ranked ahead of players like Terry Rozier, Cade Cunningham, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s great in the passing lanes, getting deflections more often than others.

#3: Making sound decisions and having a low turnover rate

According to Team Rankings, Neto had a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking in at 36th-best last season. This was ahead of names like Jimmy Butler, Fred VanVleet, and Damian Lillard. The Cavs ranked in 22nd in the league in total turnovers per game, with 14.4 per game. Luckily for Cleveland, Neto isn’t really very foolish with the ball in his hands, he makes the right decisions and the right passes when he needs to.

Like I said earlier, I am a fan of this signing, and I think that Neto will have a great season for the Cavs. I believe that he’s going to become a fan favorite, as well, with his hustle and quality playmaking.