NBA championship winner Patty Mills is bracing for a shoulder injury and seven-month rehabilitation to affect his earning potential as he prepares to start free agent negotiations in the richest basketball competition in the world.
But the devastated Canberran says being ruled out of Australia's World Cup campaign is the toughest part to swallow after scans revealed he would need shoulder surgery this week.
Mills said his enforced layoff could affect his next move, after experts predicted he could receive offers of up to $5 million.