Atlanta Hawks waive NBA stalwart Patty Mills opening door for his return to Australia to play in NBL
The Atlanta Hawks have announced they’re waiving their popular veteran Australian point guard Patty Mills.
The 35-year-old from Canberra, who’s had an 879-game career in the NBA, had not been getting much playing time with the Hawks, averaging 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 10.6 minutes in 19 games off the bench this season.
Shooting 37.3 per cent from the floor and 38.2 per cent from 3-point range, the Boomers Olympian could be picked up by another team.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Hawks announced the news on social media, with a message of thanks to the veteran.
An Olympic bronze medallist from the Tokyo Games, Mills has had 107 starts in the NBA and averages 8.9 points and 2.2 assists per game across his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets and Hawks.
He won the 2014 NBA championship with the Spurs.
The Hawks’ move means they have cut Mills before his deal expires.
Rival teams have 48 hours to offer a trade deal, after which Mills becomes an unrestricted free agent.
If no overseas offers materialise, the NBL shapes as a possible destination for the Canberra-born Mills.
His bronze-medal-winning Boomers teammates Matthew Dellavedova and Aron Baynes, also in the latter stages of their career, have made the transition from the NBA to the Australian league.
Mills played nine games for the Melbourne Tigers, now Melbourne United, in the 2011-12 season before moving to the Chinese Basketball Association.
