"MELBOURNE Tigers will confirm one of the NBL's greatest recruiting coups with the signing of Boomers guard Patty Mills.

Coming off two seasons with the Portland Trailblazers, free-agent Mills is available to the Tigers because of the NBA lockout that could cancel the season.

While Mills has an offer on the table from Portland and likely will return to the NBA if the lockout ends, the Tigers are keen meanwhile to cash in on the availability of the lightning fast guard.

No official comment was available from the Tigers, but they have scheduled a media conference for a significant announcement at 11am today."