Mills puts millions aside in desperate Boomers bid

Patty Mills has put his individual interests on the backburner as the Australian Boomers look to end their agonising hunt for a medal at the Olympics.

Patty Mills will deal with his multi-million dollar NBA future after the Tokyo Olympics as the Australian Boomers’ hunt for a first-ever medal takes priority.

Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony where he’ll carry the flag alongside Cate Campbell, Mills made clear the millions he stands to make — after wrapping up his most recent four-year, $US48 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs — aren’t on his mind.

What is? The pain of Australia’s fourth place finishes at the 2016 Games in Rio and 2019 Basketball World Cup that have “left a mark” on the playing group.

Eyes on the prize.

The 32-year-old is Australia’s biggest scoring threat in Tokyo as they chase the Boomers’ first podium finish at an international competition. He’s also a free agent, coming off a big contract with the Spurs, the team he joined in 2012.

Mills is viewed as a high-level NBA role player and will attract significant interest from a number of teams when free agency officially opens on August 3 (AEST); the same day of the Olympic quarter-finals.

Patty Mills gets around Draymond Green in Australia’s victory over the USA in Las Vegas. . (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

But already an NBA champion, Mills is more focused on grabbing gold for the Boomers than adding more to his bank account.

“Our culture within our Boomers program has really made us all present,” he said.

“There really isn’t too much else going on, to be honest. We’ve got each other.

“So, free agency and what else, I think, that bridge we’ll cross when we get to it.

“But as far as I’m concerned, I’m here to represent the Boomers and represent Australia and achieve something incredible. We’ll worry about everything else when it comes.”

The Boomers open their Olympic campaign against Nigeria on July 25.