Free agent point guard Patty Mills will have right shoulder surgery for a rotator-cuff injury that bothered him during the season as the San Antonio Spurs won their fifth NBA championship and he will be sidelined up to seven months, according to reports.
ESPN.com reported that Mills, the backup to Tony Parker, will receive a firm diagnosis after the surgery.
Mills scored 17 points in the Spurs’ clinching Game 5 of the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat. Mills, a second-round draft pick by Portland in 2009, averaged 10.2 points in 18.9 minutes per game in his fourth full season.
The Sydney Morning Herald of Australia on Tuesday first reported the news of Mills’ surgery. The newspaper reported that Mills has withdrawn from Australia’s campaign for the Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 World Cup in Spain.
The 25-year-old Aussie is a free agent but sources told ESPN.com that he is expected to re-sign with the Spurs as the sides have begun talks on a new deal.