Mills Needs Help Via A Beveridge But LeBron Is High

Is LeBron talking to Pat Mills?

Pat Mills has declared that he is in the 2009 NBA Draft but it could come down to fellow Aussie, new Perth Wildcats Head Coach Rob Beveridge as to whether Mills will be a first round pick.

If all else fails, it is good to have NBA MVP LeBron James singing your praises.

Thanks to thewest.com.au he can read how this scenario may just unfold.

Patrick Mills could soon be feeding the ball to NBA superstar LeBron James after the Cleveland Cavaliers commissioned new Perth Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge to provide a comprehensive background report on the exciting Australian point-guard.

James has raved about Mills, especially to the Cavaliers’ front office, since the 20-year-old Boomer scored 20 points against the mighty Team USA during last year’s Beijing Olympics.

The Cavaliers wanted a background check on Mills and sought the advice of Beveridge, considered one of the game’s best development coaches who last April steered the World under-age team to victory over the US at the Nike Hoops Summit in Oregon.

Cleveland have also invited Beveridge to be a visiting coach at their NBA draftees and free agents camp, starting the day after the competition’s annual player lottery on June 25.

The Cavaliers don’t have a pick in the draft until No. 30 — the last in the first round that will guarantee a million dollar contract — but Mills has been linked to teams with selections around that mark.

“I love Patty,” Beveridge said. “And timing is everything in the NBA. There is the marketing aspect that has to be considered as well. He is a good story — a kid from Australia who played at the Olympics and did exceptionally well against the USA.

“But I spoke to his dad recently and he said if Patty doesn’t get that firstround guarantee he will probably go back to college for another year.”

Working with one of the NBA super clubs will boost Beveridge’s search for two new imports for the revamped 2009-10 NBL season. He also hoped the link would encourage NBA organisations to send NBDL players here for career development.

With Alex Loughton departing Perth and WA-produced captain of the defunct South Dragons, Mark Worthington, expected to sign with Cairns, Beveridge might be looking for a power forward among his import options.

Shawn Redhage, Brad Robbins and Stephen Weigh will have existing contracts honoured next season, Paul Rogers is believed to be close to signing a new deal while Beveridge has contacted the remaining local players from last summer’s team — Peter Crawford, Tom Garlepp, Jeff Dowdell, Ben Knight and Adam Caporn — over the past week.

Perth’s development player last season, Chris Goulding, will play for Gold Coast next season.

Other News

- Australian Boomer Mark Worthington is set to join the Melbourne Tigers. It seems the Tigers will roll with an all Aussie line up.

- NBA Draft hopeful Joe Ingles talks about the possibility of playing in the D-League.

- Darwin Basketball is looking at joining the South Austrailan ABA ranks.

- Perth Wildcats Coach Rob Beveridge feels Europe is a mistake for players.

- Russell Hinder finally gets some sleep.