12. Raul Neto
PRESEASON RANKING: 12
On one hand, it’s telling the Sixers — a team in desperate need of a point guard’s skill set — don’t have a role for Raul Neto. On the other hand, he deserves more respect than he often gets. Neto is a solid backup point guard who succeeds in a couple key areas.
Neto’s shooting is his biggest asset at first glance. He’s shooting a blistering 39.3 percent from deep this season, which has flown largely under the radar. He’s not a big-time scorer — only 4.3 points per game — but when Neto is in the game, he can hit a variety of jumpers, both off the dribble and off the catch.
The Sixers have leaned on Neto periodically due to injuries, either to Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson, or other members of the backcourt. He hasn’t thrived, but he has provided a steadfast option in a pinch. He lacks the flash and pizzazz of a Trey Burke, but he limits turnovers, moves the ball, and plays an important role within Brett Brown’s scheme as a ball-handler and shooter.
If it weren’t for the arrival of Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III at the trade deadline, one may have a compelling argument for Neto to receive more playing time. It’s Burks especially when skewered any future hopes of a consistent Neto role. Nonetheless, in a pinch, Neto can still play winning basketball, and there’s value in that this deep in the rotation.
At 6-foot-2, defense is a primary concern for Neto. He’s not a great athlete, and without elite physical tools, he becomes easily exploitable in certain situations. The one rebuttal to Neto’s poor defense is his intensity and his strength. He has a sturdy frame and, for the most part, can successfully glue himself to regular-sized point guards. He’s not a total zero in that sense.