Melbourne Tigers to sign Patty Mills following NBA lockout

• Grantley Bernard 
• From:Herald Sun 
• August 29, 2011 12:00AM

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Patty Mills will play with the Melbourne Tigers while the NBA lockout is in place. Picture: Fiona Hamilton Herald Sun

MELBOURNE Tigers will confirm one of the NBL's greatest recruiting coups with the signing of Boomers guard Patty Mills.

Coming off two seasons with the Portland Trailblazers, free-agent Mills is available to the Tigers because of the NBA lockout that could cancel the season.

While Mills has an offer on the table from Portland and likely will return to the NBA if the lockout ends, the Tigers are keen meanwhile to cash in on the availability of the lightning fast guard.

No official comment was available from the Tigers, but they have scheduled a media conference for a significant announcement at 11am today.

It is believed the deal has been in the works for some time - while Mills has been subject to European offers, Basketball Australia declared it would help NBL clubs sign Mills.

The Tigers had their 10-man roster set, so they may need to reshuffle personnel to allow Mills to meet the salary cap and player points limits.

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One of the few indigenous Australians to have played in the NBA and for the Boomers at an Olympic Games, Mills will give the Tigers an edge on and off the court.

With his speed and scoring ability, Mills may be unguardable for some defenders, while his appeal is sure to increase crowds.

Melbourne fans will get their first look at Mills on September 7 when he leads the Boomers in Game 1 of the Olympic qualifying series against New Zealand at The Cage.

Melbourne Tigers to sign Patty Mills following NBA lockout