Veteran guard Patty Mills is gearing up for his 16th NBA season, having agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million fully guaranteed contract with the Utah Jazz for the 2024-25 season. Mills will reunite with head coach Will Hardy, with whom he previously worked during their time together at the San Antonio Spurs. The Jazz are counting on Mills’ leadership and experience as they continue to build a competitive team.
Throughout his career, Mills has been recognized for his shooting prowess and big-game performances, particularly during the 2014 NBA Finals, where he played a key role in helping the Spurs defeat LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Known for his reliable perimeter shooting, Mills has been an effective scoring option, especially off the bench, but his production has tapered off in recent years.
Mills’ most productive recent NBA season came in 2021-22 with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 11.4 points per game, including 2.8 made three-pointers.
However, his role has diminished significantly since then, as he posted 6.2 points per game in the 2022-23 season and just 4.0 points last season across stints with the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat. Despite his decreased minutes and output, Mills remains valued for his professionalism and leadership.
Internationally, Mills showed he still has plenty to offer during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Representing Australia, he averaged 16.5 points per game and hit 40.9 percent of his three-point attempts, proving that his shooting ability is still intact. In a key quarterfinal game against Serbia, he scored 26 points, underscoring his capability to perform in high-stakes situations.
In Utah, Mills is expected to serve as a mentor to the Jazz’s younger guards, such as Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, and Johnny Juzang. His leadership, combined with his experience in crucial moments, will be vital to helping the team’s younger players develop their skills while still contributing as a reliable scoring threat off the bench when called upon.
