Utah Jazz: Who will and won’t be back next season?

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 17: Derrick Favors #15 and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz speak to the media after Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets on April 17, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 17: Derrick Favors #15 and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz speak to the media after Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets on April 17, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 01: Raul Neto #25 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets in a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 01, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 01: Raul Neto #25 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets in a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 01, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Raul Neto

When Raul Neto was on the floor, he actually had a very solid season. He put up career-highs in field goal percentage and assists and nearly matched his career-best scoring mark from his rookie season despite playing nearly six minutes fewer per game. Neto was steady as a backup and as gritty and reliable as ever when he received opportunities.

Unfortunately, the time that he was able to be on the floor was far too limited as Neto was plagued with an onslaught of injuries for the second straight season, this time limiting him to just 37 games played. Considering that Neto’s contract is non-guaranteed for next season, the Jazz may face a tough decision for him.

As much as I’ve loved having Neto around and appreciate the way in which he plays the game, unfortunately his injury history has rendered him far too unreliable. Factor in that Utah will need roster spots if they are to add upgrades, that they hope Dante Exum will finally be able to play the backup point and that between Mitchell, O’Neale, Ingles and potentially Allen (assuming the latter three aren’t traded) they have plenty of wing depth, and Neto looks far from necessary, especially considering how rarely he’s actually been able to suit up.

He’s been everything you could ask for in a backup point guard, and if the injury gods smiled upon him more kindly, he may very well stay put. Unfortunately, I’m feeling relatively confident that Neto will find himself on the outside looking in as the Jazz aim to upgrade their roster. Though his contract isn’t particularly burdensome, his inability to stay healthy certainly is and his roster spot will very likely be prioritized to someone new – be it an incoming free agent or a player under contract the Jazz prefer to keep.

Verdit: Likely gone