New York Knicks: Pros and Cons of targeting Patty Mills in free agency

Pro: Shooting Ability

In the modern NBA, teams won’t win with a point guard who struggles to convert the 3-point shot. Not everyone needs to be Stephen Curry, but a point guard who’s incapable of playing off-ball will hurt their team in the long-run.

There are other ways to play off-ball than simply knocking down the 3-ball, but Patty Mills has mastered the art of the long-range shot—and that’s an undeniable check in the Pro column.

While one’s first instinct may be to exclusively label Mills as an off-ball player, he’s evolved into a well-rounded scoring threat. In 2016-17, he averaged 15.6 points per 36 minutes, and made 53 3-point field goals off of pull ups on 42.7 percent shooting.

Mills also converted 93 catch-and-shoot 3-point field goals on 40.6 percent shooting, and has improved his effectiveness from midrange.

Mills isn’t afraid to shoot when the pressure has mounted—a trait that isn’t commonly found. Thus, while he may not become a star with the New York Knicks, he could be a valuable late-game contributor and consistent floor-spacer for a team that needs help in that regard.

New York finished 2016-17 in the bottom third of the NBA in 3-point field goals made and 3-point field goal percentage, due in part to starting point guard Derrick Rose shooting 21.7 percent.