Basketball news: Aussie NBA star Patty Mills could finish his career in the NBL

Aussie NBA star Patty Mills has always expressed a desire to finish his career in the NBL – so will it happen? League boss Larry Kestelman is confident.

NBL boss Larry Kestelman says it would be “cool” if Australian NBA star Patty Mills finished his illustrious career as the hometown face of a new Canberra franchise.

Kestelman has spoken to Mills on multiple occasions about stint in the NBL when his NBA days are over.

The Brooklyn Nets and Australian Boomers guard has always indicated a desire to finish his career in the NBL and to give back to the community.

Canberra, which is an option for expansion, would be an ideal landing spot for Mills if a new franchise is given the green light in the coming years.

He was born in the nation’s capital, was a Cannons ball boy and attended Marist College and Lake Ginninderra College before moving to America in 2006 to play college basketball for Saint Mary’s in California.

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The NBL would love to see Patty Mills finish his stellar career in Australia if and when he is ready. Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

An ambitious Kestelman is confident that Mills, and fellow Australian NBA player Joe Ingles, will return to the NBL when they’re ready.

He is particularly excited about the prospect of Mills linking with the league and sharing his profile and reach, which extends beyond basketball.

The guard’s proud indigenous links gives him a powerful presence in the community and Kestelman believes Canberra would be a perfect fit for the Boomers veteran.

“That would be super cool,” Kestelman said when asked about Mills, who had a stint with the Melbourne Tigers in 2011, returning to the NBL with potential Canberra franchise.

“If Patty comes back and there is a Canberra licence that would be amazing.

“Our conversations with Patty have been more around the indigenous component and off the court.

“We’ve also shown what a great pathway the league is for players to come back and play out their careers here.

“I have no doubt that Patty and Joe (Ingles) will do the same. We’ve spoken to them and it’s definitely on the cards.

“We can’t wait to have their involvement in the league, but for now we cheer them on to stay and play in the NBA and at the highest level for as long as they can.”

Patty Mills is a fan favourite in Australia after steering the Boomers to a maiden Olympic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour.

Mills, 34, is contracted at Brooklyn until the end of the 2023/2024 NBA season, so a return to the NBL won’t be in the near future.

The NBL has confirmed that Canberra is a contender for expansion, but the stadium at the AIS requires more government funding to be upgraded.

Regardless, Kestelman believes it’s a major part of the NBL’s job to be a “circle of life” for Australian players at the highest level.

This was shown in 2018 when Andrew Bogut signed with the Sydney Kings following 13 years in the NBA.

Bogut excelled in his first season with the Kings to win the league’s MVP, which paved the way for him to return to the NBA via the Golden State Warriors.

Boomers guard Matthew Dellavedova also used the NBL as a platform back to the NBA.

Dellavedova’s stint at Melbourne United last season helped him secure a contract with the Sacramento Kings.

Then there is a player like current Phoenix Suns big man Jock Landale, who had spent the early parts of his professional career overseas in Lithuania and Serbia.

Landale linked with Melbourne United in 2020/2021, won a championship and the grand final series MVP, and went on to sign in the NBA.

The NBL has also become an option for former players to take on business roles within clubs, as seen at the Sydney Kings with Bogut and Australian great Luc Longley part of the club’s ownership group.

Andrew Bogut signed with the Kings in 2018 after 13 years in the NAB. Picture: Brendan Esposito

Kestelman can also see the likes of Ingles investing in the NBL when the time is right.

“Joe has mentioned that if and when he comes back that he’d love to be involved in the club itself a bit more as well.

“Whether it is Melbourne, Adelaide or wherever he settles.

“Having these (NBA) guys involved in clubs now. You look at Bogut and Luc Longley as owners at the Sydney Kings.

“That is crazy cool, and I love it.”

Kestelman stressed it was up to Mills, Ingles and others to decide if and when they played in the NBL.

“We just say with open arms that we welcome them back anytime they want to return,” he said.

“We never want them to come here until they feel that they are done in the NBA.

“We want them to come back on their terms and when they are ready with a big smile on their face to play in front of their friends and family.”

Originally published as Basketball news: Aussie NBA star Patty Mills could finish his career in the NBL