Miami Heat: 1-Time NBA Champion Makes Strong Admission About Playing in South Beach
The Miami Heat did not have a great conclusion to their 2023-24 NBA season, as they got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Boston Celtics , who eventually won the league title. Still, it seems that veteran point guard Patty Mills would love to stay in South Beach and run it back with the Heat.
Via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
Asked if a return to the Heat was a preference, the 2014 NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs said, “I definitely hope so.”
“Look,” he said, “I’ve really appreciated my time here at the Heat, and have really come to understand what this organization is really about. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, as well as learning a lot of things at the same time. Who knows what’s going to happen? But I definitely tried to absorb as much as I could.
Will the Miami Heat keep Patty Mills?
Mills was scooped up by the Heat last March after getting waived by the Atlanta Hawks in late February. He appeared in only 13 games in the regular season with the Heat, averaging just 5.8 points and 1.5 assists in 16.4 minutes per contest. Including his time with the Hawks, the 2014 NBA champion averaged only 4.0 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per 13.0 minutes through 32 games.
Turning 36 years old this coming August, Mills doesn’t seem to have much left in the tank, but he can still provide depth and security in the guard position. If the Heat end up retaining Mills, it should probably be on a cheap deal that can still attract takers in the event Miami decides to make him a trade asset ahead of the next deadline.
