2
Feb
Roster Update
Patty Mills traded to the Los Angeles Clippers
Patty Mills #8 of the Utah Jazz warms up before a game against the Denver Nuggets at Delta Center on December 30, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
Mills, a 16-year NBA veteran, is moving to his seventh team
Australian point guard Patty Mills is being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Mills, 36, has been playing a limited role off the bench for the struggling Utah Jazz.
The LA Clippers are sending forward PJ Tucker, centre Mo Bamba, a future second-round pick and cash to the Jazz for forward Drew Eubanks and Mills, ESPN is reporting.
It's a great move for Mills in the twilight of his NBA career. The Clippers are sixth in the Western Conference and have Kawhi Leonard back from injury and are ready to make a deep run in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Utah are not.
Mills has carved out a successful 16-year NBA career as a reliable backup point guard and three-point specialist. Standing at 6'2" (188 cm), Mills has overcome his relatively small stature for the NBA with his quickness, shooting ability, and basketball IQ.
Mills was drafted 55th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2009 NBA Draft after a standout college career at Saint Mary's. While his time in Portland was limited, Mills found his footing with the San Antonio Spurs, where he spent a decade honing his craft under legendary coach Gregg Popovich. It was with the Spurs that Mills developed into a key rotational player, contributing significantly to their 2014 NBA Championship run.
Known for his quick release and ability to hit shots from beyond the arc, Mills has been a consistent threat from three-point range throughout his career. His career 38.5% three-point shooting percentage underscores his efficiency as a marksman. Mills' game isn't limited to shooting, however. His speed and agility make him a pest on defence, often disrupting opposing guards with his full-court pressure.
Mills' ability to provide instant offense off the bench has been crucial for his teams. In the 2013-14 season, he finished 13th in Sixth Man of the Year voting, showcasing his value as a spark plug for the championship-winning Spurs. His performances in international competitions, including four Olympic appearances for Australia, have further cemented his status as one of the best players from Down Under.
Five Fast Facts
- Mills is the first Indigenous Australian to play in an NBA Finals and win a championship
- He holds the record for most three-pointers made in a single Olympics tournament with 31 in 2020
- Mills scored a career-high 34 points against the Golden State Warriors on April 16, 2014
- He was awarded the NBA Sportsmanship Award for the 2021-22 season
- Mills has played for six different NBA teams over his 16-year career (soon to be seven)
Career Timeline
2009: Drafted 55th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers
2011: Signed with the San Antonio Spurs
2014: Won NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs
2016: Represented Australia at the Rio Olympics, leading the team in scoring
2021: Signed with the Brooklyn Nets, expanding his role as a veteran leader
2022: Received the NBA Sportsmanship Award
2023: Signed with Atlanta Hawks (played 19 games)
2023: Signed with Miami Heat (played 13 games)
2024: Signed with the Utah Jazz (played 17 games)
2025: Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers
PJ Tucker hasn't played for the Clippers at all in the 2024-25 season. The 39-year-old left the team in October in the understanding the Clippers would find him another destination that would see out the remaining year of his $33m contract he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
