How Nene Can Get Career Back on Track with Washington Wizards

Now entering the 12th year of his NBA career, this is a make-or-break year for Nenê, who has faded into the background of the Washington Wizards, as younger players begin to grow around him.

However, if he takes the proper steps in the offseason to improve certain parts of his game and work with head coach Randy Wittman and the rest of Washington's coaching staff during the season, Nenê could easily have the same effect on the Wizards that he did with the Denver Nuggets.

After spending 10 years in the Mile High City, Nenê was traded to the Wizards to start at power forward. 

But, like much of his career, the 6'11" power forward/center hybrid has struggled with injuries that have kept him off the court and almost pushed him into retirement last season. 

Nenê missed just over 20 games for Washington last season but now has the opportunity to make some changes that could put the Wizards young roster over the hump and into the playoffs.

Play less minutes

Back in April, even before the NBA draft or the free agency period, Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld said Nenê may end up playing abbreviated minutes, even if he is 100 percent healthy, according to Comcast Sportsnet in D.C.

At this stage of his career, that may be the perfect move for the 30 year old. 

Since coming into the league, Nenê has only played in one full season (2009-10) and has only played 75 or more games four out of his 11 seasons in the league.

For someone who suffers injuries that often, limiting his minutes may be the best way to make sure Nenê doesn't miss as many games as he has in the past two seasons.

According to ESPN, when Nenê came off the bench and averaged 21.8 minutes per game, he averaged the same amount of points and had better shooting and field goal percentages than when he started. In games that he started, Nenê played about 28 minutes per game. 

That's not to say Nenê shouldn't be the starting power forward for the Wizards—he's the most talented big man on the roster—but cutting back his minutes would prevent wear and tear and could keep him fresher and more effective when on the court. 

This likely wouldn't be a huge blow to the Wizards, who also have Trevor Booker and Chris Singleton at power forward. 

Singleton is a solid rebounder off the bench, and Booker was, perhaps, the most underrated player on Washington's roster, shooting 49 percent from the floor and pulling down five rebounds per game. 

There's also a chance that Al Harrington could end up in Washington, according to ESPN, which would really cut back on Nenê's minutes, considering Harrington would likely be the starting power forward in the event he signs. 

Improve his mid-range shooting

Although Nenê is a great post-up shooter and can put back any missed shot, his mid-range shot was far below the league average last season.

In his 61 games, Nenê took almost 60 percent of his shots from below the hoop, according to NBA stats, making 58 percent of them. 

But when he put up shots between eight and 16 feet, he only made 30 percent of the shots he took, NBA stats shows. 

The Wizards already have center Emeka Okafor to play under the basket and be there for put backs, and point guard John Wall likes to drive to the hoop. But shooting guard Bradley Beal and small forward Martell Webster are more perimeter shooters, meaning an improved mid-range game from Nenê could be a huge boost for the offense.

From mid-range, Nenê only made 66 of the 213 shots he put up, which could explain why his point production was the lowest its been since the 2007-08 season when he only appeared in 16 games. 

If he takes the time in the offseason to focus on improving this part of his game, it could add a whole new dimension to his play style and could put him closer to the 14 points he averaged in his last full year in Denver.

Help stretch the floor

According to the Washington Post, after the 2013 NBA Draft, Grunfeld said that he would like to find stretch four to complete the roster. 

That hasn't happened yet, but it could be a possibility if the expiring contracts of Trevor Ariza and Okafor as possible trade pieces during the year.

In the meantime, Nenê could help the Wizards in stretching the floor and giving more space for Beal and Wall and shoot and spread the ball around. 

With Nenê's size, he's not the quickest guy on the floor, and he rarely, if ever, takes three-point shots. 

But if he is able to work on his mid-range game, Nenê could help pull opposing centers and forwards away from the basket and allow Wall to drive to the hoop or dish the ball down low to Okafor. 

Most people assume a stretch forward is more of a small forward who happens to be playing power forward, but working on the mid-range game would give the same effect as being speedier up and down the floor.

Also, in the Princeton offense that Washington runs, assists are the key to the success of the offense, and if Nenê can build on the career year he had last season in assists, it could make a huge difference in how he is thought of in D.C.

Again, this could change if Harrington ends up signing with Washington, but if Harrington stays away they will still be in need of a stretch four.