For now, Jazz management might consider dubbing Millsap the "Bargain from the Bayou." This season he is only making $797,581, which is the NBA equivalent of a Fortune 500 CEO earning about $10 an hour.

But free agency is looming this offseason for the 23-year-old, who is averaging a career-best 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 27 minutes. He figures to make many more figures in the future.

"He was way down the line when he came here," Sloan said. "But he worked to put himself in position to be able to play and help himself make more money in the future and help our team win."

In reality, he isn't just filling in for Boozer right now. The soon-to-be restricted free agent is really showcasing his talents to the rest of the NBA.

Consider his current teammates — especially the one whose spot he's keeping warm — as impressed with his strong play as his coach.

"He was playing great before I got hurt," Boozer said. "Paul is a stud and a huge part of this team. He's been playing great since he's been in a Jazz uniform. So, you'll continue to see great things from him in the future."

Boozer flashed a big smile as he said that, making you wonder if he knows something he's not letting on about his future or if he's just genuinely happy for Millsap. Perhaps both. But should the two-time Olympian opt out of his contract next summer, the Jazz will be in an interesting dilemma. Do they try to keep the higher-priced Boozer and his All-Star-level offensive skills or try to keep Millsap and make the improving big man their power forward of the future?

In a perfect world — one in which luxury taxes didn't exist and salaries were affordable — the Jazz would no doubt love to keep both around. That might prove tougher than getting Millsap to miss a game.

But the Jazz will enjoy having both for now.

Millsap made a name for himself in college because of his knack for rebounding. He is the only student-athlete in NCAA history who's led the country in cleaning the glass for three straight years.

And he was consistently the top rebounder despite supposedly being undersized at 6-foot-8. While many people credit Millsap's never-give-up hustle approach for his rebounding prowess, Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko gives props to Millsap's basketball brain, not his brawn or body, for being a major reason he has such a nose for the ball.

"I would say he's a smart player — even though he's hustling a lot," Kirilenko said. "Every time he's in a right position to get a ball, either rebound or help defensively or offensively, (he's) kind of in the right spot in the block. He's a very intelligent player."