Kofi Inkoom
Veteran point guard, Patty Mills, intends to sign a deal with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the season, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Mills, with 15 years of experience in the NBA, experienced a whirlwind of trades during the 2023 offseason, moving from the Nets to the Rockets to the Thunder, and finally to the Hawks.
Despite Atlanta’s initial hopes of utilizing his veteran presence as backup for Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, Mills saw limited action, averaging 2.7 points and 1.1 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game across 19 appearances.
Last Thursday, the Hawks decided to waive Mills to create room for two-way player Trent Forrest. Despite clearing waivers over the weekend without immediately finding a new team, Mills has now reached an agreement with the playoff-bound Miami Heat.
While his recent statistics may have dipped, Mills boasts an impressive NBA resume, including 95 postseason games and a championship with San Antonio in 2014.
He also demonstrated solid performance just a couple of years ago, averaging 11.4 points per game with a 40% three-point shooting rate for the Nets in the 2021/22 season.
Joining the Heat will add depth to their backcourt, which has been hampered by injuries throughout the season. Notable options include Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Josh Richardson, and Delon Wright.
This move provides insurance in case Richardson’s absence due to a shoulder injury extends into the spring.
Additionally, guard Dru Smith, sidelined for the season with a torn ACL, is expected be waived to accommodate Mills on the 15-man roster, according to sources.