Despite the revelation of a shoulder injury, the San Antonio Spurs fully intend to bring back free agent guard Patty Mills. Both sides have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $12 million pact. Per the Express-News:
The 2013-14 salary cap is projected at $63 million, with a tax threshold of $77 million. That puts the Spurs in excellent position to not only re-sign some combination of their remaining free agents — Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner and/or Aron Baynes — but also add another contributor via the mid-level exception if they so choose. The NBA roster limit is 15.
While their fates remain uncertain, the Spurs have retained one of the key members of their bench in Mills, who averaged 10.2 points per game in his breakout fifth NBA season. His energy and long-range shooting — 42.5 percent on nearly four 3-point attempts per game — helped the Spurs lead the NBA in bench scoring.
The news is somewhat tempered by the fact Mills, 25, will miss up to seven months with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. That encompasses the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup, in which Mills was slated to compete for his native Australia, and as much as half the Spurs’ regular season as they defend their fifth NBA title.
