Should SMC's Mills Stay in Moraga or Head to Big Apple?

Even though the Gaels' season ended one game short of a trip to Madison Square Garden, does that mean Patty Mills won't be at Madison Square Garden before year's end?

Although not as hot a topic as Davidson's Stephen Curry or as impacting as Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, Mills could join their ranks at the NBA Draft in June. He has been predicted as high as a lottery pick and as low as not being drafted at all.

If you were a NBA executive, what would be your take on Mr. Mills?

Let's look at the positives:

1. Mills can take control of a game at any moment. Because he is a very streaky shooter, he can become incredibly hot very quickly. He showed this against Gonzaga by going 6-8 from three-point range in the first half before he broke his wrist. His crowning achievement was his SMC freshman record 37 points against Oregon last season.
2. His leadership ability. Even though he is only a sophomore, he became the team's emotional leader and as he went, so did the team. He is always the first off the bench to congratulate a teammate and puts the team before anything else.
3. His speed is his most glaring attribute. At the Beijing Olympics, he was able to leave Deron Williams and Chris Paul trailing behind him. The kid's speed with the ball has been compared to Tony Parker and Monta Ellis.

Of course with every positive, there is a negative:

1. He is a streaky shooter. He will have games where he goes 6-8 from the field but he will have games where he shoots 7-24. His shot is inconsistent at best. He shot a hair above 40 percent for the season, although improving his three-point and free throw percentage. There is a chance he will improve and common sense says he will.
2. Is he injury prone? After an injury, especially a wrist injury, you need to see if it is a recurring theme. This is something that can only be found out in time.
3. Can he limit his turnovers? He had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.2. This was tied for 21st...in the West Coast Conference. This is completely inexcusable for a point guard. He is out of control at times and loses the ball many times by driving into an overcrowded lane.
   

Taking these things into consideration, Mills is better served by staying another year, despite a weak draft class, and honing his shot and turnover prowess. This will also allow him to play with his native Australia and improve before he returns for the college basketball season.

According to DraftExpress, Mills will declare for the NBA Draft but will not hire an agent. He is leaving the option to return to Saint Mary's but begs the question, should he?

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