The Brooklyn Nets seem poised to lose popular point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, but already have his replacement set. Patty Mills, who has been with the San Antonio Spurs for the last decade, is heading to join the Eastern Conference favorite.
Mills is very accustomed to the role that he will be asked to fill. He’s never started more than 36 games in a season, but has been an extremely productive NBA player throughout his career.
His last two seasons have been his highest scoring years in the NBA. In 2020-21, he averaged 10.8 points and 2.4 assists, shooting .412/.375/.910 on the year.
It is one of the most notable moves during a solid day overall for the Brooklyn Nets. The team is retaining forward Blake Griffin, who did very well as a role player after being acquired from the Detroit Pistons, and guard Bruce Brown. Both were key contributors down the stretch for the team.
Free agent G Patty Mills has agreed to a two-year, $12M deal with the Brooklyn Nets, his agent Steven Heumann of @CAA_Basketball tells ESPN. Deal includes a player option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2021
The two-year, $12 million price tag is also nice for Brooklyn, which is pretty deep into the luxury tax. He’s a pretty ideal fit for the team, giving them a steady hand behind James Harden and Kyrie Irving in the backcourt.
Brooklyn tax bill
Before Patty Mills: $92.6M
Post: $121.8M
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 3, 2021
According to Marc Stein, the Los Angeles Lakers were the other major contender here. L.A. traded for Russell Westbrook to start at point guard earlier this offseason.
Patty Mills chooses the Nets over the Lakers, @espn says
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 3, 2021
I want to travel back in time and tell 2020 Mina that she’d be losing her mind over Patty Mills signing with the Nets https://t.co/vGcXb4pVFE
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) August 3, 2021
My #1 free agent target, Patty Mills, is a Brooklyn Net. Nothing more to say than this is a home run. https://t.co/Rr3CpS2Ta4
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) August 3, 2021
Patty Mills + Brooklyn Nets
Career Outlook Financial and Performance Projections
Projected Career Outlook: IMPACT STARTER
Projected Fair Market Value: $19.1M
2020 Real-Time Contract Value: $14M
New Team Contract: $6M pic.twitter.com/VCfxkqlk5W— profitx (@profitxai) August 3, 2021
Patty Mills to the Nets is scary.
— Cinnabod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) August 3, 2021
This will be Patty Mills’ third NBA team, and first new squad since 2012 when he joined the Spurs after a brief stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Nets have plenty of Spurs DNA, with former Spurs player, coach, and assistant GM Sean Marks leading the Nets’ front office.
Marks and Mills were actually Blazers teammates in 2010-11. In 2013, Marks joined the Spurs coaching staff, and a year later joined the front office as assistant general manager. He took over as Brooklyn Nets GM in February 2016.
Patty Mills has played the last decade with the Spurs, winning a championship in 2014. Sean Marks was an assistant coach on that team.
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) August 3, 2021
Patty Mills carried the Australian flag at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony. Australia is in MBB semi finals. Australia lead assistant is Adam Caporn, LI Nets new head coach.
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) August 3, 2021
Next up, most expect the Brooklyn Nets to sign and trade Dinwiddie, with the Washington Wizards heavily connected to the talented guard. A productive offseason for the Nets could get every better, depending on how that deal materializes.
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