Raul Neto (PG, WAS): Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

Wizards guard Raul Neto is a worthy consideration as a fantasy basketball waiver wire pickup heading into Week 20 of the NBA season.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 8% of leagues

ANALYSIS: I'm here to celebrate the Wizards making it to the play-in this season. I guess the Russ haters out there will have to eat the L... The Wiz are pretty much locked into the mini-tourney and will face the Pacers in it, only it's yet to be known which seed each of those two squads will occupy. No matter what, I'm betting on Washington facing the winner of the 7th vs. 8th game after defeating Indy. Other than Russ and Bradley Beal, though, those games' outcomes will have something to do with Raul Neto. Yes, a guard. Starting every single game these days. You read that right.

The Wiz are deploying a small-ball, three-headed backcourt to close the year, and that's been the case since Neto started for the first time back in Apr. 19 and he's kept on doing since then. It's been 11 in a row, and that mark could go up to 15 straight if things stay the same ROS, which is nothing crazy to think about considering how good the Wiz have played of late (8-3 since they started to use that starting lineup). Neto is, obviously, taking on the smaller amount of possessions among the three guards (13% usage rate) but he's making the most of his chances.

Neto is playing around 28 MPG for the Wiz and he's putting up daily  12-3-3-1 lines. Nothing really remarkable, sure, but still nice for those of you looking for safe plays when it comes to playing time, surrounded by a can't-get-better set of teammates, and contributing rather high numbers in a scarce steals category with 1.4 SPG. Neto is hitting virtually all of his freebies (97% FT% on 2.3 FTA per game), doesn't turn the ball over that much (1.5 TO) and makes up for it with reasonably good AST (3.2 APG) numbers for his usage. Sneaky good addition ROS for those in true-deep leagues.

More Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15 (2024-25): February 3 - February 9

If you're like me, you woke up to one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history (Luka for AD) and are still trying to make sense of it. It will likely be the biggest trade of the week, but it won't be the only deal made this week as Thursday's NBA trade deadline looms. […]

Dan Palyo February 2, 2025

League Winners: Second-Half Trade Targets and Stashes - 2025 Fantasy Basketball

Things have not gone as planned for fantasy basketball managers who drafted players like Joel Embiid or Jimmy Butler. But there's plenty of basketball left to be played and it's time to reassess how we view players going forward. If you want to win that fantasy basketball league championship, worry less about where your players […]

Dan Palyo January 30, 2025

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14 (2024-25): January 27 - February 2

We flip the calendar to February this week and edge closer to both the All-Star break and the NBA trade deadline. Some of the moves you can make in the next few weeks could greatly impact your team's ability to compete for a fantasy championship in March or April! Most leagues have a weekly moves […]

Dan Palyo January 26, 2025

League Winners: Players To Stash For the Stretch Run - 2024 Fantasy Basketball

The All-Star Break is upon us and while it's nice to have some time off from setting lineups, making DFS lineups, and placing bets. It's also a nice time to look ahead and what moves you can make to put your team in the best position possible to win a fantasy basketball title. Remember, the […]

Dan Palyo February 19, 2024

Trendon Watford (PF, POR) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 23

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (reporting on Sunday morning), the Portland Trail Blazers are leaning toward shutting down Damian Lillard for the remainder of the season. The Blazers, mind you, have been without Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Lillard, and Jusuf […]

Antonio Losada March 27, 2023