Washington Wizards: The backup point guard situation — Who stays, who goes

Can the Washington Wizards Keep Raul Neto?

Bringing back all three of Russell Westbrook, Ish Smith, and Raul Neto will be difficult for the Wizards, especially when you consider what type of contract Raul Neto will be requesting. Last season, Neto was brought in on a small one-year contract ($1,882,867) with an expectation to fill the third-string guard role. However, injuries to both Westbrook and Smith forced Neto into the starting lineup for multiple stretches throughout the season. Neto definitely exceeded the expectations that were put on him when he signed, averaging a career-high in points (8.7) on 46 percent shooting while averaging exactly one three-pointer per game. His defensive intensity was crucial for a Wizards team that lacked defensive intensity on a near-nightly basis. There is no doubt that Neto will request more than the $1.8 million he got from the Wizards last season. He outplayed that contract. How much more, and whether he receives that from the Wizards or another team, remains to be seen.