wildfire speculation<\/a> that he was considering a return to the NBL in 2026-27, but the reality told a different story.<\/p>\nHis deal with LDLC ASVEL hasn\u2019t been disclosed, but he reportedly turned down a two-year (Euro) \u20ac1.8 million ($2.9M AUD) deal with Partizan as part of his decision to join 2014 NBA championship teammate Parker, 44.<\/p>\n
Mills earned USD $85.6M (approximately AUD $131M<) in NBA salary across 16 season before taxes \u2013 an estimated USD $36M (AUD\u00a0$55M) may have gone to tax before agent commissions and other professional costs.<\/p>\n
His decision to stay in Europe after playing for Tenerife in Spain last season also reflects the financial realities facing veteran Australian players. <\/p>\n
While an NBL homecoming appeals emotionally for many Australian stars, the economics of Europe’s top clubs remain difficult to match.<\/p>\n
Why Europe still makes financial sense for Patty Mills<\/p>\n
While the financial terms of Mills’ contract with LDLC ASVEL haven’t been disclosed, there are several reasons why veteran NBA players can often earn significantly more in the EuroLeague than by returning to the NBL.<\/p>\n
1. European contracts are often negotiated after tax<\/p>\n
Unlike Australia, where contracts are typically quoted as gross salary, many EuroLeague contracts are negotiated on a net salary basis.<\/p>\n
That means if a player signs for \u20ac1 million net, the player receives \u20ac1 million after tax. The club pays the local taxes on top of the agreed salary.<\/p>\n
An NBL contract, by comparison, is quoted before Australian income tax.<\/p>\n
2. Clubs frequently cover living expenses<\/p>\n
Top EuroLeague clubs often include:<\/p>\n
Premium accommodationMotor vehicleReturn flightsPrivate health insuranceSchool fees for childrenChampionship bonusesCup bonusesSigning bonuses<\/p>\n
Those benefits can be worth tens \u2013 or even hundreds \u2013 of thousands of dollars annually.<\/p>\n
3. Lower out-of-pocket costs<\/p>\n
An Australian player returning to the NBL as a \u201csole trader\u201d generally pays for many of those expenses out of their own after-tax salary.<\/p>\n
In Europe, many are included in the package.<\/p>\n
4. A shorter season<\/p>\n
The EuroLeague season is physically demanding but considerably shorter than an NBA season and, depending on domestic league commitments, can provide veterans with greater flexibility heading into FIBA tournaments.<\/p>\n
For Mills, whose priority remains representing Australia at major international events, managing workload has become increasingly important.<\/p>\n
5. Staying in elite competition<\/p>\n
The EuroLeague is regarded as one of the best basketball competitions in the world behind the NBA. <\/p>\n
Playing against elite European opposition will help Mills remain in the frame for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6a5012d659d0d2df3ed8977a_GettyImages-131611468.jpg\")
Patty Mills celebrates scoring for the Melbourne Tigers during their Round 5 NBL clash against the Cairns Taipans at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne on November 6, 2011. Photo: Quinn Rooney\/Getty Images.Why an NBL return doesn’t always stack up financially<\/p>\n
For Australian basketball fans, the idea of Mills finishing his career in the NBL is so appealing. But financially, the economics are very different to Europe’s top leagues.<\/p>\n
Here’s why.<\/p>\n
1. NBL contracts are paid before tax<\/p>\n
Unlike many EuroLeague contracts, NBL salaries are negotiated on a gross basis.<\/p>\n
That means a player earning $1 million doesn’t receive $1 million in their bank account. Australian income tax, the Medicare Levy and agent commissions all come out of that figure.<\/p>\n
By the time those deductions are made, a $1 million contract can be worth closer to $500,000 before living expenses and other professional costs.<\/p>\n
2. Players cover many of their own expenses<\/p>\n
Unlike Europe, many of the costs associated with being a professional athlete are paid by the player.<\/p>\n
Depending on the contract, that can include:<\/p>\n
AccountantFinancial adviserInsuranceOff-season trainingPhysiotherapy and recoveryLegal adviceMarketing and personal brandingAdditional travel<\/p>\n
Those costs can total tens of thousands of dollars each year.<\/p>\n
3. Living costs come from after-tax income<\/p>\n
Most Australian players also pay for accommodation, vehicles and everyday living expenses from their after-tax salary unless those benefits have been specifically negotiated into their contract.<\/p>\n
That further reduces the real value of a headline salary.<\/p>\n
4. Australia has one of the world’s highest marginal tax rates<\/p>\n
High-income earners in Australia face one of the highest personal income tax burdens in professional basketball.<\/p>\n
While tax obligations vary depending on an individual’s circumstances, the combination of income tax and the Medicare Levy means a significant portion of a seven-figure salary is paid in tax before the player can spend or invest it.<\/p>\n
5. The value isn’t always in the headline number<\/p>\n
A $1 million NBL contract is still an outstanding salary.<\/p>\n
But when compared with Europe’s top competitions \u2013 where contracts are often negotiated after tax and include accommodation, transport and other benefits\u2014the overall financial package can be considerably less valuable.<\/p>\n
For a veteran like Mills, who has already earned substantial money during an 18-year professional career, maximising after-tax income while remaining in elite competition is an important consideration as well as lifestyle.<\/p>\n
Australian NBL contract<\/p>\n
Headline salary: $1,000,000 gross<\/p>\n
After:<\/p>\n
Agent commissionAustralian income taxMedicare LevyProfessional expenses<\/p>\n
A player may retain approximately $450,000-$500,000 before housing, family and everyday living costs.<\/p>\n
That’s why, despite the emotional appeal of an NBL homecoming, Europe’s leading clubs often remain the more attractive financial proposition for established Australian stars.<\/p>\n
Category
\n NBL Contract
\n EuroLeague Contract<\/p>\n
Headline salary
\n $1,000,000 gross
\n Often negotiated as \u20ac1,000,000 net<\/p>\n
Tax structure
\n Player pays Australian income tax and Medicare Levy
\n Club often covers local tax on top of agreed net salary<\/p>\n
Agent fee
\n Approx. 8%: $80,000
\n Approx. 8%: \u20ac80,000 on a \u20ac1M net deal<\/p>\n
Estimated tax impact
\n Approx. $413,000 after agent fee
\n Usually already handled by the club if deal is net<\/p>\n
Estimated player position after tax and agent fee
\n Approx. $507,000 before professional and living costs
\n Approx. \u20ac920,000 after agent fee if salary is net<\/p>\n
Housing
\n Usually paid by player unless separately negotiated
\n Often included or heavily subsidised<\/p>\n
Car \/ transport
\n Usually paid by player
\n Often included<\/p>\n
Flights
\n Usually limited or player-funded
\n Often included, especially for player and family<\/p>\n
Other benefits
\n May include bonuses, but package is usually simpler
\n Can include bonuses, insurance, schooling and relocation support<\/p>\n
Bottom line
\n A $1M gross NBL deal may become roughly $450K-$500K before living expenses
\n A \u20ac1M net EuroLeague deal can be worth substantially more once tax and benefits are included<\/p>\n
Patty Mills Career Earnings in the NBA<\/p>\n
Season
\nAge
\nTeam
\nNBA Salary (USD)
\nApprox. AUD
\nCareer Earnings (AUD)<\/p>\n
200921Trail BlazersUS$457,588A$700,110A$700,110<\/p>\n
201022Trail BlazersUS$937,195A$1,433,908A$2,134,018<\/p>\n
201123SpursUS$261,829A$400,598A$2,534,616<\/p>\n
201224SpursUS$1,085,120A$1,660,234A$4,194,850<\/p>\n
201325SpursUS$1,133,950A$1,734,944A$5,929,794<\/p>\n
201426SpursUS$3,842,105A$5,878,421A$11,808,215<\/p>\n
201527SpursUS$3,578,947A$5,475,789A$17,284,004<\/p>\n
201628SpursUS$3,578,948A$5,475,791A$22,759,795<\/p>\n
201729SpursUS$10,714,286A$16,392,857A$39,152,652<\/p>\n
201830SpursUS$11,571,429A$17,704,286A$56,856,938<\/p>\n
201931SpursUS$11,651,785A$17,827,231A$74,684,169<\/p>\n
202032SpursUS$13,535,714A$20,711,643A$95,395,812<\/p>\n
202133NetsUS$5,890,000A$9,011,700A$104,407,512<\/p>\n
202234NetsUS$6,479,000A$9,912,870A$114,320,382<\/p>\n
202335Hawks \/ HeatUS$7,537,766A$11,532,783A$125,853,165<\/p>\n
202436JazzUS$1,955,681A$2,991,192A$128,844,357<\/p>\n
Career
\n\u2014
\n6 NBA Teams
\nUS$85,559,433
\nA$130,905,932
\nA$130,905,932<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The hidden financial advantages that make EuroLeague contracts so attractive to Australian stars Australian Boomers legend \u201cFIBA Patty\u201d…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":790225,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[64,63,726,85],"class_list":["post-790224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-basketball","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-basketball","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/790224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=790224"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/790224\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/790225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=790224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=790224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=790224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}