Danny Mills provides update from NBA Summer League

The Perth Wildcats continue to work through the global player market as the club searches for the final pieces of its NBL27 roster.

Wildcats COO and General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills has spent the week in Las Vegas at NBA Summer League alongside head coach John Rillie, meeting with agents and assessing the market as Perth looks to add a playmaker.

With the bulk of the Wildcats’ roster already in place, Mills said the club’s focus was clear.

“Clearly, we need a playmaker, a guy that can be a table setter and really get us into offence,” Mills said.

“But also, that’s an important spot as well. You need someone that can do both, can score, play off our other guys and make them better.”

The Wildcats have retained a strong core heading into NBL27, with Dylan Windler, Kristian Doolittle and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr forming the foundation of the frontcourt, while Elijah Pepper has re-signed, Jaron Rillie is expected to take another step, Cam Huefner joins the roster from DP and Jesse Wagstaff returns for another season.

Mills said the club are excited by the group already in place, but would remain patient in finding the right player to complete the roster.

“We’re super excited about who we’re bringing back, but it’s about finding this last piece,” he said.

“However long that takes, it’ll take. The market is the market, and we just have to play with what we’ve got.”

While Summer League provides the chance to watch players live, Mills said much of the Wildcats’ work in Vegas happens away from the court.

“We’re not coming here to watch games,” he said.

“Obviously, as a byproduct, you are seeing games, and if there are guys on your list that are playing, you want to go watch them live if you haven’t seen them.

“But for us, there’s already a target list there. We’ve been talking to guys for multiple years. You go back and visit guys that maybe you had offered the year before or tried to entice to come to Perth, and you see if they want to come this year.”

Mills said Perth’s reputation continues to grow internationally, with the Wildcats’ success, player development record and expanding global presence all helping the club compete in a crowded market.

“We feel like we’ve got it on the world stage now,” he said.

“We’re taking the team internationally, we’re going to Japan again this preseason. You talk to agents here, people want to play in Perth. It’s can we afford them to play in Perth?”

Mills said the NBL remained an attractive pathway for players looking to advance their careers, while the Wildcats could offer the chance to compete for one of Australian basketball’s biggest clubs.

“The sell’s easy in terms of the NBL,” he said.

“Agents have a lot of trust in the league. We’re a challenger league still. We’re not the EuroLeague, we’re not Japan in terms of money, but we’ve shown proof that we can get players to the next level.

“For us, that’s the sell. We want to help guys get to where they want to get to, but at the same time, we want to win.

“There’s got to be a combination of guys that are hungry to individually get better, but also help a franchise win that 11th title.”

With Wildcats training camp approaching, Mills said the club would continue to work through its options and make the right decision when the opportunity presents.

“I wouldn’t anticipate it this week,” he said of a signing.

“I think it’s probably going to be a process that goes a little bit longer than that, but that’s fine as well. Obviously, if you find the right guy, you can agree terms, but usually that takes a bit of time.

“If it all goes to plan, perfect. If not, you pivot and play the cards you’re dealt.”