The J-Notes
Fansided

The argument for and against each of the trio of key Utah Jazz free agents

By Jared Woodcox

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Derrick Favors #15 and Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrive at the arena before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Derrick Favors #15 and Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrive at the arena before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Raul Neto #25 of the Utah Jazz hug after the game during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Raul Neto #25 of the Utah Jazz hug after the game during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Argument against Raul Neto

To be frank, there’s not a whole lot of reason to be opposed to bringing Raul Neto back. He hasn’t had an immense impact in Utah by any means, but he’s been ready when called upon and has been a serviceable backup.

However, the fact that he isn’t an enormous contributor to Utah’s success may very well be the strongest argument behind looking to move on from him. The Jazz seem to have a lot of backcourt depth especially after drafting another guard in Grayson Allen. As such, it’s logical to think that rather than keep Neto around, Utah may want to use his roster spot to add depth on the wings or in the frontcourt.

That becomes even more true if some team is willing to throw a considerable offer Neto’s way. He’s been good for the Jazz, but partly he’s been nice to have around because he only cost Utah $1.4 million this past season. Especially if Utah does end up retaining both Favors and Exum, they’ll be more limited on cap space than one might think, which means Neto would likely be among the first to go if the Jazz didn’t feel it necessary to make space for him.

Last of all, while Neto brings several positives to the table, he found himself banged up for most of the year last season. As I covered in my player review for Raul Neto, he suffered a seemingly endless string of injuries from head to toe in 2017-18, rendering him unable to play for much of the year.

If health is at all a concern for Neto moving forward, that would be a major factor against re-signing him for next season. While having Neto around at a good price is nice for Utah’s point guard depth, if he receives a hefty offer, it may be easiest to let him walk.

Home/Jazz News