Paul Millsap is hoping that he'll be a starter for the Jazz this coming season.

"I would love to start," Millsap said Saturday, speaking for the first time since Utah matched the four-year, $32 million offer sheet he signed with Portland.

Millsap is unlikely to start unless the Jazz are able to trade Carlos Boozer, who opted into the final year of his contract earlier this season.

"You know," Millsap said, "my role for the past couple years has been to come off the bench playing behind a great player and watching the things he (does) when he gets out there and starts, the things he did to prepare to start.

"It helped me out a lot. You know, starting will be a great thing for me. ... Hopefully it will work out to that situation."

The power forward added that he expected the Jazz to match the offer all along.

"I'm right where I want to be ? you know, back in Utah," he said. "You know, I love it here ? and I can't wait to get back on the court.

"I knew all along what was gonna happen," Millsap added, "and I think they had in their mind what was gonna happen. So, it happened."