Matchmaking: Brooklyn Nets and Free Agent Guards
![Mar 31, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) shoots the ball against Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports Mar 31, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) shoots the ball against Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/94587bcb9fc345cc2003d893d4ac631c73a9678d262e52e8b79d34f9a75f4d62.jpg)
Patty Mills
When Sean Marks arrived in Brooklyn, it was clear he would try to inject some of the culture the Spurs created in San Antonio into his own. Marks has a lot of players that mirror some of the great players the Spurs currently have and used to have under contract, when he spent time with the team.
However, if Marks wants to bring in even more of the Spurs culture to Brooklyn, look no further than veteran Patty Mills.
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It’s intriguing to think about what Mills can bring to the Nets. He is a veteran who always seems to hustle and play efficient basketball year in and year out, something the Nets are looking for.
Mills is averaging 9.8 points and 3.4 assists per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent shooting from behind the arc. Solid numbers from a guy who is always a quality player to have coming off the bench.
Given his shooting numbers and ability to help lead a bench unit and possibly even run the floor, Mills would seem to fit perfectly on a Nets bench that is already averaging the second-highest points per game in the league this season.
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However, Mills may not actually be as good of a fit on the Nets bench as he seems. On a Nets bench that is loaded and where players are already fighting for minutes, Mills may not have a place. The bench unit has been mainly led by Sean Kilpatrick, Trevor Booker and Isaiah Whitehead, who have all learned to become leaders and a lift for the entire team. With Mills in there fighting for time, it just won’t work out.
At this point, we have seen the Nets are looking for starter quality talent, not bench players. They have enough bench depth already. By adding Mills, the Nets would simply be adding another shooter to their bench unit, and while he can help, he would be a waste of money for the Nets to go after. With the Nets looking to get out of this hole as soon as possible, it’ll be smart to go for bigger names than Patty Mills.