He looked like a sure thing to be drafted higher than he was.

Injury at the worst possible times have cost Mills dearly.
A Broken sustained whilst he was single-handedly cutting down Gonzaga with some of the best shooting of his career slowed him up. Couple that with the broken foot after being drafted have really taken its toll on what is clearly a very promising talent and career.

I was looking for more info and Patty and the Portland blog on Sportsblog Nation had this:

"I'd advise Patty Mills to sign the non-guaranateed one-year, $457,588 contract tender that’s offered to every second-round draft picks. For Mills, the worst-case scenario is the Portland Trail Blazers would just waive him. Yet, under those circumstances, the Aussie would in turn become a free agent with the ability to sign with any NBA team.

That exact situation happened with Demetris Nichols and the New York Knicks in 2007".

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/9/27/1057292/patty-mills-eyes-final-portland

Scroll down through the comments for the above quote.

If this is correct, then that is good news, because it means that, assuming he signs that contract, Patty can expect to make at least $457,588 this year while he rehabs and tries to get noticed in the D-League. I'd like to have a fall back position like that if got injured I reckon!

I guess while I'm trying to find silver linings in Mills unlucky situation, we can at least expect the Boomers to benefit from Mills being unlikely to make the NBA this year.

Instead of coming off a grueling 82 game NBA season prior to the Worlds, he will have only been through the D-League. So he should be fit and have plenty of competitive games under his belt, but I'm willing to bet he will be hungry to star for the Boomers and make NBA teams sit up and take notice again!

I reckon THAT is a good reason to get excited about the Boomers 2010 World Championship campaign!

Yep, don't want him held hostage by the Blazers for several years. But I don't think that is an issue yet. Firstly, that minimum contract for 2nd rounders is only for one year, so after a season in the D-League he can re-assess. Secondly, since Mills seems to want to stay in the US and play in the D League, he won't have the same problems Andersen had, because he won't have any significant buyout costs for teams to worry about.

Fingers crossed.

Jawai has a contract for this season...it expires at the end of the season.

The contract does mean something for Jawai: it means that he has some good money to live off even if he gets bought out by Dallas.

So thats critical for his ability to stay in the US and continue to focus on improving his game.

On Mills, I had a look yesterday to try and clarify what happens with this minimum offer to second rounders. From what I could find in the CBA, I think its more like a holding offer so they can keep his rights. If they offer it and he doesn't accept and doesn't play professional ball anywhere for the next year, I think he basically becomes a rookie FA.

That could work if he can get some money from elsewhere to keep him going for another year in the US AND if the D League is not considered a professional league.

But if he doesn't have a secure source of income and the guy I quoted above is right, he might be best off accepting that minimum contract from Portland, go play in the D League team they are affiliated to and then try make enough noise to either force his way into the Blazers team (unlikely), or make it worth their while to trade him somewhere he is wanted next Summer.

Maybe the Tigers will 'find room' in the salary cap for him!

Ok, looked into Mills sitch a bit more and found this from a well respected FAQ on the NBA salary cap:
http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q42

According to this resource, "second round draft picks become free agents if not given a required tender" by September 6.

So for the Blazers to still have any control over his rights, they must have already tendered this offer, which I guess is the $457,588 contract I referred to earlier.

Does anyone actually recall the Blazers making this offer? I can't find one anywhere, so it looks like none was made an Mills is a free agent right now.

Guess he is just in Portland because they drafted him and, as he said, have shown some interest in him despite not really having a spot for him this year.

Not good from a security point of view not having a decent contract, but hopefully he can get by on a D-League contract somewhere for a year. Otherwise its off to Europe or even... the NBL... yeah unlikely but would be cool for a year!

Anon, according to what that FAQ says, the Blazers DO NOT retain Mills rights unless they have made this tender by September 6.

Can you point to where Mills was offered this tender? Cause I can't find a report on it, so it appears the Blazers have no rights to Mills.

I have NOT been saying that Portland will give Mills a contract btw. Its completely obvious that there is no room on their roster for him.

I am just interested in working out what the deal is with retaining rights to 2nd round picks. If you can't help with that or aren't interested then kindly FARK OFF instead of sniping from your anonymous cave!