Patty Mills: Did He Retire? 2024 Team Update

Patty Mills has been a fixture in the NBA for over a decade, but recently his name has been swirling in trade rumors and free agency chatter. As the 2024-25 season tips off, the veteran guard is still on the court — just not in the same jersey you might expect.

Born: 11 August 1988 ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
NBA Career: 2009–present ·
NBA Championship: 2014 (San Antonio Spurs) ·
Olympic Medal: Bronze (2020 Tokyo) ·
NBA Points (Career): 8,889 (as of 2023–24)

Here are the vital stats that define his career arc.

Has Patty Mills Retired from the NBA?

No, he has not. The 36-year-old guard signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Utah Jazz in August 2024, officially announced on September 6 (Sports Illustrated (sports magazine)). He told reporters he plans to keep playing until “the wheels fall off” (NBA Maniacs (basketball media)). The implication: retirement is not on his agenda.

Why isn’t Patty Mills in the NBA?

He is. After being waived by the Atlanta Hawks on February 29, 2024 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)), Mills signed with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the 2023-24 season (Sporting News Australia (sports media)). He became a free agent on July 1, 2024 (RealGM (basketball analytics)), and then signed with the Jazz. He is currently on an NBA roster.

What happened to Patty Mills?

He moved teams twice in 2024. After a short stint with the Atlanta Hawks, he finished the 2023-24 season with the Miami Heat. Over the summer, he found a new home with the Utah Jazz. The pattern: a veteran guard still valued for his shooting and leadership, even if his role has shrunk. The implication: Mills is still an NBA-caliber player, not a retired one.

Where Is Patty Mills Right Now?

He is in Salt Lake City, Utah, preparing for the 2024-25 NBA season with the Utah Jazz. The Jazz officially announced his signing on September 6, 2024 (Sports Illustrated (sports magazine)).

Which team does Patty Mills play for currently?

The Utah Jazz. He agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal in August 2024 (Newsweek (sports news outlet)).

What is Patty Mills’s current team?

Same answer: the Utah Jazz. Earlier in 2024, Basketball Australia listed him with the Miami Heat (Basketball Australia (national governing body)), but that profile was before his free agency. A later feature from Basketball.com.au confirmed he is with the Jazz (Basketball.com.au (Australian basketball news)).

Is Patty Mills the Only Aboriginal NBA Player?

No, but he is the most prominent. Mills is of Aboriginal (Torres Strait Islander) and Māori descent, and he was the first Indigenous Australian to play in the NBA (ABC News Australia (national broadcaster)). Other Indigenous Australian players include Nathan Jawai (who played 29 NBA games) and Kyrie Irving, who has Aboriginal heritage through his mother.

Who are other Aboriginal NBA players?

Nathan Jawai (2010-11) and Kyrie Irving (part Aboriginal) are the only others. Mills’s impact extends beyond the court: he was Australia’s first Indigenous Olympic flag-bearer in 2021 (ABC News Australia (national broadcaster)) and is a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights.

What is Patty Mills’s Indigenous heritage?

His father is Torres Strait Islander, and his mother is Māori. He has spoken about using basketball as a platform for social change, saying, “I play for my people, I play for my family, I play for my country” (NBA Maniacs (basketball media)).

How Much Money Does Patty Mills Make?

Over his career, Mills has earned more than $50 million in NBA salary alone. His current deal with the Utah Jazz is worth $3.3 million for one year (Newsweek (sports news outlet)).

What is Patty Mills’s net worth?

Estimates range from $12 million to $15 million, based on career earnings, endorsements, and investments. His salary has fluctuated: he earned about $12 million per year in his peak San Antonio years, then dropped to the veteran minimum.

What are Patty Mills’s career earnings?

According to contract data, his total NBA salary through the 2023-24 season exceeded $50 million. The $3.3 million Jazz deal adds to that total.

What is Patty Mills’s salary in 2024?

$3.3 million for the 2024-25 season, as reported by multiple outlets. That is below the NBA minimum for a player of his experience, but he chose the Jazz for playing time and fit.

What Is Patty Mills’ Famous Quote?

His most often-cited line: “I play for my people, I play for my family, I play for my country.” It captures his dual mission as a basketball player and an Indigenous leader.

What is Patty Mills’s personal motto?

He has said, “I want to use my platform to inspire the next generation.” He has spoken about his grandfather, who was a member of the Stolen Generations, and how that history fuels his drive.

What did Patty Mills say about his Indigenous heritage?

In a 2021 interview with ABC News Australia, he said, “I’m proud to be a Torres Strait Islander man. I carry my culture with me every time I step on the court” (ABC News Australia (national broadcaster)).

Patty Mills is not done. The 36-year-old guard has a new team, a new contract, and a clear message: he will keep playing until his body says stop. For the Utah Jazz, that means a veteran mentor on a young roster. For Indigenous Australians, it means their most visible ambassador remains on the NBA stage. The choice for Mills is clear: stay in the league as long as possible, or risk becoming a footnote. He has chosen the former.