Boomers’ big Patty Mills problem that must be addressed before the 2024 Paris Olympics

There are nine Australians in the NBA - but who is providing the best return on investment in the world’s best basketball league? Our power rankings reveal all - and raise a big Boomers problem.

The future of Australian basketball is taking another step in his third NBA season, while the man who delivered the historic bronze medal isn’t even playing and it’s a concern heading into the Paris Olympics next year.

The Boomers have a Patty Mills problem and it was never more evident than on Tuesday when the Australian great warmed the bench for the Atlanta Hawks while his understudy Josh Giddey stepped into the spotlight.

Giddey stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists to help steer the OKC Thunder to a 126-117 win over the Hawks, while Mills sat on the bench for the seventh straight regular-season game.

Patty Mills is yet to receive minutes so far in this NBA regular season for the Atlanta Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

The situation in Atlanta doesn’t look like changing any time soon for the Aussie guard.

One of two things needs to happen: either Mills finds a way out of Atlanta, somewhere he can get game time in the NBA or elsewhere, or Australia has to move on from arguably the greatest Boomer ever as a starter.

It’s a big call given Mills’ remarkable contribution to the green and gold but the Boomers can’t afford to have such a crucial player underdone heading to Paris.

The veteran guard has not had a minute of court time for his new team Atlanta in seven games of the 2023-24 NBA season.

Instead, Mills is warming the bench for the Hawks and it’s hardly ideal with the Paris Olympics looming in July.

The Canberra-born guard is already coming off a season with the Brooklyn Nets in which he fell down the rotation and only played 41 games.

This limited preparation didn’t help Mills at the World Cup this year when the Boomers failed to get past the group stage for the first time.

Mills is arguably the greatest Boomers player of all time, but they could be forced to move on from him as a starter at Paris. Picture: Getty Images

He still averaged 18.6 points on 47.3 per cent shooting from the field, 5.2 rebounds and five assists but the question must be asked: could he have been even better with more game time under his belt?

Mills, 35, is facing a similar situation at Atlanta. He will be happy to collect his $10.7 million for the season but the competitor in him would want to be playing.

Australian coach Brian Goorjian recently said how important the guard position was for the Boomers at the Olympics next year.

How about this lob from Giddey? 👀 pic.twitter.com/J1sgWZWa5Q

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 7, 2023

Key guards Giddey, Dante Exum and Dyson Daniels are all receiving game time in the NBA with the Thunder, Mavericks and Pelicans respectively.

“But Patty isn’t playing,” Goorjian said. “The likes of Giddey, Daniels and Exum are all playing – and in the NBA.”

Goorjian would also love to see Mills return to the San Antonio Spurs, where he played for 10 seasons and won a championship in 2014.

Mills could do with a change of scenery to get more game time and Boomers coach Brian Goorjian would love to see him back with the San Antonio Spurs. Picture: Getty Images

The Spurs have a strong Australian connection through having Boomers assistant Matt Nielsen on Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff alongside former Boomers coach Brett Brown.

“I would love to see Patty back at San Antonio and finish his career there,“ Goorjian said.

“I’m sure it’s something he would love, too. You are always better when you are happy.

“I know he loves San Antonio. I know he loves coach Pop. He has a real connection with Matty and Brett as well.

“I do think Patty is a piece San Antonio don’t have.

“They are in a build there and having a guy like Patty, he’s unique. He still has it.”

Mills just needs to get on the court to show it.

Originally published as Boomers’ big Patty Mills problem that must be addressed before the 2024 Paris Olympics