Mills without a home leading into Olympics after being waived by Hawks

Callan Morse Published March 1, 2024 at 8.30am (AWST)

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Patty Mills has been waived by the Atlanta Hawks. (Image: Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Hawks have waived guard Patty Mills, signalling a possible end to the popular veteran's NBA career.

The Torres Strait Islander/Ynunga man joined the Hawks midway through 2023 after two seasons at the Brooklyn Nets.

Since joining Atlanta, the 6'2" point guard has featured in just 19 of the Hawks' 58 regular season games, providing backup minutes to all-star guard Trey Young.

In a Hawks jersey the 35-year-old averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 10.6 minutes off the bench.

Although currently without a team, Mills was waived by the Hawks a day before the league's buyout deadline, leaving the door open for the free agent to sign with another franchise - such as a playoff contender - before leading the Boomers at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

*Mills shot 37.3 per cent from the floor and 38.2 per cent from 3-point range during his time with the Hawks. (Image: Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)*

Following the announcement, former Australian Boomer Chris Anstey suggested Mills should consider signing with a team in Europe in preparation for the Boomers Olympic campaign.

Anstey, the 18th overall selection in the 1997 NBA draft finished his playing career in Europe after seasons with the Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls.

"This could be a really interesting few months for Patty Mills," Anstey said on X (formerly Twitter).

"Taking a high level, high opportunity European contract to finish the European season could be the best preparation for his final Olympic Games."

Just days earlier, NBA superstar Kevin Durant labelled Mills "a flat-out legend" whilst commenting on his impact on basketball culture for both the Boomers and in the NBA.

The pair spent two years together on the Brooklyn Nets roster.

Thank you, Patty! pic.twitter.com/h1nj2eaPCl
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 29, 2024

"Just a flat-out legend for the Boomers," Durant said.

"He's been a constant for that program since I've been in the league and they play with such a toughness and you know that comes from their best player, which is Patty.

"And then I had an opportunity to play with Patty for two years at Brooklyn. I see why he's become such a legend over there.

"He's so passionate about where he's from, he's so passionate about just the culture itself and basketball and he's an extremely hard worker whose journey should be spoken about with some of the best."

Selected 55th overall in 2009, Mills has played 879 career games - including 107 starts - in the NBA for the Portland Trailblazers, San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks, posting career averages of 8.9 points and 2.2 assists per game.

He won a NBA championship with the Gregg Popovich-led Spurs in 2014.