From Heat rival to new Heat addition, Patty Mills on his journey and how he hopes to help

A decade ago, guard Patty Mills made five threes on his way to scoring 17 points to help the San Antonio Spurs earn a championship-clinching win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the 2014 NBA Finals. That painful memory is still fresh for many on the Heat’s side.

“That was 10 years ago,” Mills said with a smile during a call with three South Florida-based reporters when asked about that moment. “I didn’t think that I was going to get that question now. I was hoping a decade would hopefully wipe that out. But yeah, obviously, that was part of this journey.”

A journey that has taken Mills to the Heat 10 years later as a 35-year-old veteran. The Heat signed Mills to a minimum contract for the rest of the season.

The addition of Mills was formally announced by the team Wednesday, as the Heat waived injured guard Dru Smith to make room for Mills on its 15-man roster. Mills is healthy and expected to be available for Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

“I think where I’m at in my career and to be part of a culture like this, a winning environment, one goal in mind, and understanding the different aspects of people playing their part, playing their role and to be able to achieve a goal there — I think that’s been the backbone for me and what I’ve come from and what my abilities are,” Mills said of why he chose to sign with the Heat after being waived by the Hawks on Feb. 29.

Mills is the first player in Heat history to wear No. 88. Mills’ usual number of No. 8 is taken by two-way contract forward Jamal Cain, so he decided to go with a number not often worn by NBA players for a meaningful reason.

“It’s more so of a mirror image,” Mills said. “I am No. 8, but why not throw another No. 8 in there. It’s like looking at yourself in the mirror and doing some self reflection of the journey that has been and also what’s to come, as well. I’ve seen quite a few names thrown out there already about No. 8 and it being agent 88 and wide receiver running routes, double snowman and all of that. I think it’s great. Having a lot of fun with it.”

The signing completes the Heat’s midseason makeover at the guard position, trading for Terry Rozier in late January, adding Delon Wright on the buyout market during the All-Star break in February and then signing Mills this week.

The Heat added Mills to provide backcourt depth, with guard Josh Richardson ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on Wednesday to repair his dislocated right shoulder.

In addition, Heat guard Tyler Herro will miss his sixth straight game on Thursday with a right foot injury.

But even with those injuries, Mills is not expected to be a consistent part of the Heat’s rotation as part of a team that considers depth to be one of its biggest strengths. Before joining the Heat, he played in a limited role for the Hawks this season prior to being waived.

Mills averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.5 steals per game while shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three-point range for the Hawks this season. He appeared in 19 games for the Hawks — all off the bench — and played 10.6 minutes per game.

“Having all those conversations are still to come,” Mills said when asked if the Heat has given him any indication of what his role will be. “But I think first and foremost, just understanding I just want what I can bring in terms of my personality and professionalism, understand how you go about carrying yourself as an elite athlete and all those things. I think those things have gotten me to where I am today.”

While the newly acquired Rozier has immediately been used as a starter, Wright and Mills serve as depth at guard who can be lifted into the rotation by injuries or a specific situation/matchup.

Even with Herro and Richardson out, Wright did not play in two straight games leading up to Thursday’s contest in Dallas despite being active and available.

“I’m sure over time, there are conversations that will be had,” Mills continued regarding his role with the Heat. “But in the time being, it’s just how I can slide in here without being too much of a hassle or asking too many questions, and understanding how I can help this team moving forward.”

While defense is not a strength for the 6-foot-2 Australian at this point of his career, he’s still a quality three-point shooter.

Mills has shot 38.9 percent on 4.4 three-point attempts per game during his 15-year NBA career. And that efficiency hasn’t dipped in recent seasons, shooting 39.3 percent on 5.3 three-point attempts per game since the start of the 2021-22 season.

Mills is only one of five current active players in the league who entered the NBA prior to 2010 and has shot better than 38 percent from three-point range on at least 4.4 attempts per game during his career. The others on that list are Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Danny Green, Danilo Gallinari.

Mills is also an experienced veteran who can help bring teammates together on and off the court, playing in 95 playoff games (11 starts) during his NBA career. He also won the NBA Sportsmanship Award for the 2021-22 season.

“Being in San Antonio for so long I think definitely prepared me for something like this,” said Mills, who is changing teams in the middle of a season for the first time in his NBA career.. “I just want to come in here and make the most of this opportunity, and the opportunity to learn from such a great coach and organization.”

Mills spent 10 seasons with the Spurs, playing under coach Gregg Popovich for his entire Spurs tenure. With the Heat and Spurs known as two of the most stable and successful organizations in today’s NBA, Mills has already noticed similarities between the two teams in his first few days with the Heat.

“Although it’s only been 24 hours, the impression of what the culture is here hits very hard,” Mills said. “It doesn’t take long for you to understand, to see it and to appreciate it. And within those 24 hours, there’s definitely [things] I’m used to and what I’m also about. That will be set up here for a smooth transition, hopefully.

“You look back at both cultures and the success they’ve had and they continue to have over the years, there’s a culture here and you don’t throw around the culture word that deeply without it having some deep meaning and deep roots to that thing. I think from what I’ve already experienced in a short time here in Miami, there’s a lot of people who play a part in being able to carry that culture here. And it definitely excites me and I’m just very grateful for this opportunity to be a part of it.”

Even if, like some on the Heat’s side, Mills still carries some agonizing memories from the NBA Finals battles between the Heat and Spurs. Because while Mills and the Spurs ended the Heat’s season in the 2014 Finals, the Heat eliminated the Spurs in the 2013 Finals.

“I’m still also pissed about what happened 11 years ago,” Mills said with a laugh. “It goes both ways, I think. There’s a lot that I have to give. There’s examples of that 10 years ago about what I can bring and provide. So I understand there are Miami fans that are still pissed at me. But look, I’m here to give all and everything that I have to this organization while I’m here.”

MORE ON JOSH RICHARDSON

The Heat announced Wednesday that Richardson underwent successful season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.

“The 90-minute labrum procedure to repair right shoulder instability was performed by Dr. Harlan Selesnick and assisted by Dr. Frantz Lerebours at Doctors Hospital Ambulatory Surgical Center,” according to a Heat press release. “Richardson will miss the remainder of the season and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Richardson, who joined the Heat as a free agent last offseason, has a $3.1 million player option in his contract with the Heat for next season.

INJURY REPORT

In addition to missing Richardson, the Heat will also be without Herro (right foot medial tendinitis) and Kevin Love (right heel bruise) for Thursday’s game in Dallas.

After taking on the Mavericks on Thursday, the Heat travels to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday (8 p.m., Bally Sports Sun) to complete the road back-to-back set.