San Antonio Spurs: What NBA title contender should trade for Patty Mills?

San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills should be on the radar for contenders at the NBA trade deadline. What can an in-his-prime Mills offer to a contender?

Patty Mills is the last remaining member of the 2014 San Antonio Spurs championship team. With the Spurs missing the playoff this season for the first time in 23 years,  it seems the Spurs are now in a transitional period.

It will come to a point where two stars and veterans will be traded. With Patty Mills possibly being the most intriguing and impactful piece to a contending team. The 19-20 season saw Patty Mills average a career-high 11.6 points per game with getting 1.8 assists per game, on a true shooting of 59.0 percent.

Those stats may seem insignificant, but Mills has proven he’s a winner, on the NBA court behind Tony Parker in 2014 and as the guy — both as a leader and statically for the Australian (National team) Boomers.

In the 2012 London Olympics, the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the 2019 FIBA World Cup combined Patty Mills averaged 21.7 points per game — Mills is a bonafide bucket getter on the international stage.

https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1165148966440194051

Mills averaged a cool 22.8 points per game, 3.9 assists per game in the World Cup. He led Australia to finish fourth in the tournament, scoring 34 points in his final game in a loss to the eventual tournament winners Spain.

Recently, Mills has been hyping up his own NBA season, by comparing it to his international career.

"“Who I’ve been with the National Team and who I’ve been here with the Spurs…. I think it’s time to back myself and be who I’ve always been.”"

Do I believe Mills could score 20 points per game in the NBA? No, maybe on the Knicks or Pistons, but probably not. What I do believe is that Patty Mills can be a highly impactful championship player, again.

Assuming the San Antonio Spurs don’t go on an improbable title run (you never count out the Spurs), there are three teams I think that should try to acquire Patty Mills.

Contenders that should trade for Patty Mills

Honorable mentions to the Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, and the Miami Heat.

Milwaukee Bucks

The first team that should trade for Mills is the Milwaukee Bucks. With the team bungling the proposed sign-and-trade deal to acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic, the team is still probably looking for another shooting off the dribble creator – something they dearly lacked in the 2020 playoffs.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor also reported that Mills was a target for the Bucks and Sixers in his NBA 2020 mock draft.

"“The Spurs are up to something. League sources say they’re shopping point guard Patty Mills, with teams such as the Bucks and Sixers expressing interest.”"

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer has a history with Patty Mills, being the assistant coach with the Spurs up until 2013. Budenholzer spoke highly of Mills in a pre-game discussion prior to a game when the Bucks and Spurs matched up last season.

"“To think he would be playing this long and this well and have this big of an impact on a great organisation, a great team, I don’t think even he probably would have thought that."

Hoops Habit’s own Dalton Sell already broke down why Mills would fit well with the team, the tricky part is the trade itself.

Something along the lines of D.J. Augustin (included for salary) with one of the younger players; Donte DiVincenzo, D.J. Wilson or Pat Connington could possibly suit both parties.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers can always use more shooting, the Lakers’ best ball-handler other than LeBron James last season was Rajon Rondo, a great player, but not a great shooter.

The Lakers acquired Dennis Schröder this offseason, who is a talented young guard and had a great shooting season prior to coming to the Lakers. There are still doubts around his consistency as a shooter, Schröder shot a career average of 32 percent from three prior to his 19-20 season, where he shot 38.0 percent.

If he cannot maintain that average from last season, possibly swapping Schröder for Mills (Schröder only makes $4 Million more per season) could benefit both teams. This helps the Lakers more so in the short term, rather than the long term.

Los Angeles Clippers

The LA Clippers played Reggie Jackson 12 games in the 2020 playoffs, averaging 14.2 minutes per game – wait, I’m supposed to say more?

The Clippers had no ball-handler that made the other teams worry besides, Kawhi Leonard or Paul George — Lou Williams has historically struggled in the playoffs and Patrick Beverly isn’t on the court because of his offense.

The team could use a shooting playmaker who can take the pressure of Leonard, while still being a threat off the ball. Mills is also a leader, which the Clippers lack. The Clippers had locker room issues all season, as well as no real vocal leader. Gregg Popovich spoke on how influential Mills has been for the Spurs.

"“It’s same as when he first stepped on the court with us, he’s a natural leader, he’s selfless, he’s the greatest teammate ever,”"

The possible trade could include Luke Kennard and Ivica Zubac going to the Spurs as young assets, while the Clippers get the leader and shooter they so desperately need.

Mills can be a starter or lead bench piece for a title team, and he’s proven at all levels playing against any competition, in any country — he can explode for 30 points at any given point. It all just depends on what direction the San Antonio Spurs go and what happens on the 2020-2021 NBA trade deadline.