Paul Millsap was one of the driving forces behind the Jazz unexpectedly sneaking into the Western Conference playoffs this season, averaging 16.6 PPG and 8.8 RPG while posting a career-high 21.8 PER. Millsap will enter the final year of his contract in 2012/13, but the Jazz have no plans to move him, according to Lang Greene of HoopsWorld. The 27-year-old talked to Randy Hollis of the Deseret News about dealing with trade rumors.
"It’s motivation for me," Millsap said of the trade talk. "I don’t get down on myself because I’m on the trading block or get down on myself for kinda being too small, and I use that to motivate me and to help me to continue to do what I do."
According to Hollis, any trade talk involving Millsap has originated from outside sources, rather than from inside the Jazz organization. There was some speculation that Utah, after trading Deron Williams last season, could continue to rebuild around young players like Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, and Gordon Hayward by dealing Millsap or Al Jefferson, whose contract also expires in 2013. But heading into this season's trade deadline, the team reportedly felt no pressure to move either veteran forward.