The Miami Heat intend to sign free-agent guard Patty Mills, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Mills will sign for the remainder of the season, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
Mills opened the campaign with the Atlanta Hawks after being traded three times in a week in July 2023. He made 19 mostly brief appearances with the franchise before Atlanta waived him on Thursday. Since he was waived before Friday, Mills will be eligible to play for the Heat in the playoffs.
The 35-year-old played 40 games with the Nets last season, making two starts. Despite signing a two-year contract with the club in July 2022, he fell out of head coach Jacque Vaughn’s rotation as Brooklyn opened up more minutes for Cam Thomas. However, Mills was a consistent lineup fixture in 2021-22, averaging 11.4 points while shooting 40% from distance on seven attempts per contest in 81 games (48 starts).
Mills gives Miami added insurance at point guard behind Terry Rozier, the currently injured Tyler Herro, and fellow buyout market addition Delon Wright. Herro has been out since Feb. 23 due to a foot injury and will miss his fifth consecutive game Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.
The Heat have won eight of their last 10 contests, including wins over the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Orleans Pelicans. They’re also expected to re-introduce guard Josh Richardson into their lineup at some point soon; the 30-year-old has missed the last three weeks with a dislocated shoulder but is expected to be re-evaluated soon.
