Lakers News: Could LA Be a Fit for the Veteran NBA Champ?

Patty Mills, a combo guard in the NBA for 15 years, is almost done. The 6’2″ veteran joined the Atlanta Hawks after being traded by the Brooklyn Nets three times in the summer. The Saint Mary’s product played just 19 games for the Hawks this season before it was revealed today that he would be cut. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that Atlanta is upgrading two-way guard Trent Forrest to a regular 15-man roster and waiving Mills’ $6.8 million contract, which is about to expire.

The 35-year-old Mills can suit up for a team that is vying for a playoff spot if this deal is finalized by tomorrow.

A crucial sharpshooting bench player for the San Antonio Spurs in 2014—against LeBron James’ Miami Heat, no less—Mills won a title. He is averaging 2.7 points on 37.3% shooting from the field, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.

Would he be a compelling option to replace Gabe Vincent or Spencer Dinwiddie on James’ current team, the Los Angeles Lakers? He has converted 38.9% of his 4.4 triple tries per night throughout the course of his streak, and he can still get buckets.

Dinwiddie has faced immense challenges since coming to Los Angeles. After playing six games for the team, he has averaged 5.2 points.343/.238/1.000 shooting splits, 0.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 3.8 assists per game. The most problematic shooting percentage is 23.8%, particularly for a club that depends heavily on its bench for long-range shooting. Gabe Vincent has only been healthy for five games this season, and as the regular season moves into March, it is unclear when he will make a comeback.