The weight on Paul Millsap’s shoulders will soon become much heavier.

Millsap produced an all-around career year last season, averaging 16.6 points and a career-high 8.8 rebounds, while ranking fourth in the league in steals (1.8). With camp just one week away and the most important season of his basketball life about to kick in, an undersized athlete who’s continually proved doubters wrong is ready for a new fight.

Millsap’s fully aware this could be his final year with the Jazz, an organization that drafted him No. 47 overall in 2006 and has been the only team he’s ever played for. With Favors on the verge of a breakthrough and Utah stacked in the frontcourt, Al Jefferson and Millsap could soon become casualties due to the promise of youth. But after an attempt to negotiate an extension last summer — the Jazz offered a three-year maximum deal worth about $25 million — big money and an unpredictable future temporarily have been pushed to the back of Millsap’s mind. Even the thought of testing the free market is on pause.

via Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune