Patty Mills embraces veteran leadership role

• Patty Mills was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers from the Utah Jazz before the February 2025 deadline
• Mills was highly productive in limited minutes off the bench for the Clippers
• Mills won a NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014

Australian point guard Patty Mills is a NBA champion, Olympic Games bronze medallist and now in the later part of his NBA career, a veteran locker room leader.

Speculation is rife the Canberra-born 36-year-old may end his professional career back in NBL here in Australia.

He's already been linked to the Perth Wildcats and potentially the Brisbane Bullets.

Career at a Glance

Standing at 188cm and weighing 82kg, Mills has carved out a remarkable 16-year career in the NBA. After being selected with the 55th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Mills has transformed from an end-of-bench prospect to champion and earned the nickname "FIBA Patty" with dozens of extraordinary performance's for the Australian men's national team.

Mills' 2024-2025 season was a tale of two teams, beginning with the Utah Jazz before moving to the Los Angeles Clippers. This mid-season transition highlighted the his continued value to championship contenders seeking veteran leadership and reliable shooting.

Statistical Breakdown of the 2024-2025 Season

Mills appeared in 29 games this season, splitting time between the Jazz and Clippers. His statistical profile reveals a player who understands his role in limited minutes:

• Averaged 3.8 points in just over 11 minutes per game
• Shot 37.5% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range
• Near-perfect from the free-throw line at 92.9%
• Maintained a positive assist-to-turnover ratio despite limited playing time

While these numbers might seem modest at first glance, they represent impressive efficiency for a player who often enters games cold and is expected to produce immediately.

The Jazz Chapter

Mills began the 2024-2025 campaign with the Utah Jazz, appearing in 16 games as the team navigated a rebuilding season. The Jazz utilised Mills in both point guard and shooting guard roles.

His most productive stretch with Utah came during a three-game span in early January:

On January 7, 2025, Mills scored 13 points on 5-from-14 shooting with three assists and three steals against Dyson Daniels' Atlanta Hawks. While his shooting efficiency wasn't stellar that night, his defensive activity helped a struggling Jazz team remain competitive.

Two days later against the Miami Heat, Mills contributed nine points in 18 minutes, again showing his ability to create his own shot even as the team struggled.

The highlight of his Jazz tenure came on January 15 against the Charlotte Hornets, when Mills delivered an exceptional shooting performance. He scored 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep, epitomising the catch-and-shoot specialist role that has extended his career.

Despite these contributions, the Jazz's direction prompted a midseason move to a contender.

The Clippers Change

Following his trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, Mills settled into a more specialised role. With the Clippers boasting stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, Mills' responsibilities narrowed to providing spot minutes and occasional offensive sparks.

His most impressive outing with the Clippers came on March 28, 2025, against his former club, the Brooklyn Nets. In just under seven minutes of play, Mills exploded for 14 points on exceptional efficiency, shooting 3-from-4 from the field, 3-from-4 from three-point range, and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. This performance epitomises what makes Mills valuable — the ability to enter a game and immediately impact the scoreboard without needing to find rhythm.

The Clippers benefitted from Mills' experience during their playoff push, going 9-3 in games where he's appeared for more than five minutes. This winning percentage speaks to Mills' stabilising presence and the positive team dynamics he helps foster.

The Spark Plug Role

Mills has mastered the art of what basketball insiders call the "spark plug" role — a player who can enter a game and immediately change its energy and momentum. This specialised skill becomes increasingly valuable in the playoffs, where games often hinge on short bursts of productivity from role players.

Throughout the season, Mills demonstrated remarkable efficiency in his abbreviated appearances:

• In 13 games where he played fewer than 10 minutes, Mills averaged 2.3 points while shooting 40.9% from three-point range
• In six games where he scored five or more points in under 10 minutes, the Clippers went 5-1

These numbers highlight Mills' understanding of his role and ability to maximise limited opportunities. Unlike younger players who might need time to establish rhythm, Mills has developed the mental approach needed to contribute immediately.

Veteran Leadership Beyond the Box Score

What Mills brought to his teams in 2024-25 extended far beyond statistical output. As one of the NBA's most respected veterans, his impact included:

• Mentorship of younger players
• Leadership during practice sessions
• Cultural contributions as an international ambassador
• Professionalism in handling inconsistent playing time

These intangible qualities explain why contending teams continue to value Mills despite his diminished raw production. The Clippers, with championship aspirations, targeted Mills specifically for these qualities alongside his shooting ability.

Adapting to a Changing NBA

Mills entered the NBA in 2009, when the league still featured more traditional positional play and midrange scoring. Throughout his career, he has successfully adapted to the analytics revolution that has transformed playing styles.

His evolution into a three-point specialist reflects broader league trends, with 78% of his field goal attempts this season coming from beyond the arc. This adaptation has allowed Mills to remain relevant in a league that increasingly values spacing and three-point shooting.

Mills' career transformation offers valuable lessons for players in the middle and later stages of their careers. By identifying the skills most valued by teams and relentlessly developing them, players can extend their careers significantly.

Physical Maintenance and Longevity

At 36 years old, Mills has outlasted many of his draft contemporaries. His durability stems from several factors:

• A streamlined 82kg frame that places less stress on joints
• Disciplined conditioning routines
• Careful management of playing time
• Adjustment of his game to minimise physical wear

These elements combine to create a player who remains valuable even as his athletic peak recedes. For younger players, Mills' career offers a blueprint for maximising longevity through physical discipline and strategic role acceptance.

The Championship Pedigree

Mills' experience as part of the San Antonio Spurs' 2014 championship team gives him unique credibility in locker rooms. Having witnessed championship-level preparation and execution firsthand under legendary coach Gregg Popovich, he can share these standards with teammates.

The Clippers' decision to acquire Mills midseason reflects their understanding of how championship teams are constructed. Beyond star power, successful playoff teams require role players who understand situational basketball and perform under pressure.

Mills' championship pedigree manifests in his composed decision-making during critical game situations. Even in limited minutes, his shot selection and defensive positioning reflect his understanding of winning basketball.

Looking Forward

As Mills approaches his 37th birthday, questions about his basketball future naturally arise.

Shooting specialists often extend their careers well into their late 30s, with players such as Kyle Korver, Jason Terry, and Vince Carter setting precedents for longevity. Mills' similar skill profile suggests he could follow a similar trajectory.

If Mills continues his NBA journey next season, he will likely seek situations where his veteran presence and shooting ability complement championship contenders. Teams with young guards who need mentorship will particularly value what Mills offers.

Lessons for Developing Players

Young basketball players can learn several valuable lessons from Mills' career trajectory:

1. Develop a specialised skill that teams consistently value (in Mills' case, three-point shooting)
2. Accept and master evolving roles as careers progress
3. Contribute positively to team culture regardless of playing time
4. Maintain physical conditioning that allows for career longevity
5. Develop the mental approach needed to perform without rhythm or warm-up time

These lessons apply across all levels of basketball, from juniors to professionals. Mills' career demonstrates that basketball impact extends far beyond raw statistical output.

The Australian Basketball Legacy

Mills stands alongside players such as Andrew Gaze, Luc Longley, Andrew Bogut and Joe Ingles in the pantheon of Australian basketball. His sustained NBA career has coincided with a golden era of Australian talent in the world's premier basketball league.

Australian NBA standouts Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels all cite Mills as an influence and pioneer who helped create pathways for their professional careers. This mentorship role extends Mills' impact beyond his own playing career.

The 2024-2025 season showed that Patty Mills remains an impactful NBA player who understands how to contribute to winning basketball in specific, valuable ways. His transition from Utah to Los Angeles highlights both his personal adaptability and the continued value contending teams place on his skills.

As one of Australia's basketball pioneers, Mills' legacy extends far beyond statistical benchmarks. His professionalism, adaptability, and championship pedigree make him a model for aspiring players worldwide, while his cultural impact as an international ambassador helps grow the game globally.

The only uncertainty is whether Mills will choose to stay in the NBA or come home to finish his career.