Kings coach’s big call on Patty Mills’ potential return to the NBL
In a major boost for the Boomers’ Olympic hopes, Patty Mills is staying in the NBA, but could a future return to the NBL be on the cards? MATT LOGUE and MICHAEL RANDALL find out.
Newly appointed Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian doesn’t envisage Patty Mills returning to play under him in the NBL.
Mills, who played nine games for the Melbourne Tigers in 2011-12, had been linked to a potential homecoming after he was waived by the Atlanta Hawks.
The Boomers Tokyo Olympic hero, on Wednesday, secured a deal with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the NBA season.
Mills, who turns 36 in August, could look to the NBL as an option post this year’s Paris Olympics if he fails to secure another NBA deal.
Asked if he would approach the champion guard to play at the Kings in NBL25, Goorjian said the ball was in Mills’ court.
“It would have to be something where he (Patty) came to me,” Goorjian said.
“He knows me and knows where I’m at and if it (playing in the NBL) was something they wanted to do, then he’d come and tap me.
“When this thing (the Kings) happened before he signed with Miami, in the little conversation with him it (the NBL) didn’t come up.
“I just don’t think his mind is working that way.
“But I know these (Paris) Olympics are everything to him and, big picture, once the Olympics are finished, it will be the NBA or he’ll be successful in something.”
Mills’ move to Miami for the rest of the NBA season is a major boost for the Boomers ahead of this year’s Paris Olympics, with the court time starved guard likely to find a more expansive role at the Heat, given he was rooted to the bench in Atlanta.
Boomers greats Andrew Gaze and Chris Anstey even floated the idea of Mills signing in Europe or Asia.
Goorjian said he was pleased Mills had linked up with one of the NBA’s strongest organisations, with the Pat Riley-Erik Spoelstra GM-coach combination among the league’s most successful.
“Great news about Patty, he joins a great organisation and I am sure they will use the benefits Patty provides on the court and in the locker room,” Goorjian said.
“It’s an opportunity for Patty to play, which is great for Boomers on all fronts.”
Miami, seventh in the Eastern Conference, with a 34-26 record, has been ravaged by injuries for most of the season. When fully fit, though, the likes of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are capable of beating any team.
The Heat made the NBA Finals last season before losing the series 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets.
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Mills, 35, will provide Miami with leadership, valuable bench depth, playoff experience and a serious shooting threat.
The Boomers’ captain has played 95 playoff games in his 15-year NBA career, with his lone title coming in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, ironically, against the Heat.
Australia’s pre-Paris OIympic camp starts in early July, so the timing of Mills’ Heat arrival is perfect for the national team’s preparations.
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