Derek Rucker believes Australian guard Patty Mills could have a “real impact” in the NBL if he is to be lured back to home soil to finish his professional career.
The 36-year-old has maintained a spot as a regular on the bench over the past two seasons, jumping between teams before eventually landing at the Los Angeles Clippers.
But having yet to ink a deal beyond the end of the 2024-25 season speculation of a possible Mills homecoming has run rife.
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Mills last competed with the Melbourne Tigers in the 2011-12 season, with his talent set to be a significant coup for any club if they are able to attain his signature.
LA Clippers guard Patty Mills. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Rucker – who won the MVP award in the Aussie league during his own career – was not ready to rule a line through the possibility of Mills’ homecoming.
“That last dance would be a really expensive one for some clubs,” he told NBL Now.
“But we’ve seen things come to fruition that we didn’t think were possible.
“Would Patty be a great pick-up for a club? For various reasons, 100 per cent he would. But it (will) get to a point where your skills will start to deteriorate somewhat.
“I don’t know what his future is in the NBA, that remains to be seen, but there are a few teams I can see him having a real impact with.
“There are a number of locations where he could go to that would significantly change the commercial and the marketing aspect of your programme.”
The likes of Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova are some of the greats who have made the decision to return to the NBL to finish their careers.
Patty Mills #5 and Joe Ingles #7 of Team Australia react against Team Slovenia Getty
Mills’ Boomers teammate Joe Ingles has also been floated as a player who could wrap up his playing days on home soil but Rucker believes his NBL return would be best suited in an off-court role.
“Joe I think would be a great addition in a non-playing compacity,” he said.
“You put him in your front office. He learns the front office trade and he will help you by opening up his contacts and vast network to you.
“Similar to how Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley have done for Sydney (Kings).
“It just brings this premium air of contacts and networks. It is a guy who will bring instant credibility and respect to (a clubs) programme.”
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