New York Knicks: Intriguing Point Guards Who Will Be Free Agents In 2017

Patty Mills, UFA

Age: 28 (8/11/1988)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .452/.434/.857
2016-17 Season Averages: 21.3 MPG, 9.7 PPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 1.8 3PM

There are some who believe that Patty Mills is a system player. There’s certainly some merit to that belief, as he’s experienced the greatest success of his NBA career playing for Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs.

The good news for the New York Knicks is that, system player or otherwise, Mills fits the type of offense that Jeff Hornacek and Phil Jackson are attempting to run.

The triangle offense—and, for that matter, the modern NBA—requires point guards to be able to space the floor. Mills is a career 39.7 percent shooter from 3-point range and is converting at a clip of 41.6 percent on catch and shoot 3-point field goals in 2016-17.

It’s fair to question how proficient Mills can be with the ball in his hands, but he’s the perfect player for the triangle offense.

As it pertains to Hornacek’s system, Mills could be the type of player who has a career renaissance in New York. He’s a confident playmaker who plays for the team and has the raw skill level to be a productive and valuable player.

For what it’s worth, the Spurs have a team-best net rating of +13.7 with Mills on the court and a team-worst net rating of +5.3 without him.

Mills is also averaging 16.4 points, 5.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 3.0 3-point field goals made per 36 minutes.