Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas hopes to make a bigger impact with the team next season by taking on the ‘old guy' role.

Valanciunas was traded to the Grizzles back in February, and he already assumed the lead role on both ends of the floor. He averaged 19.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 19 games for Memphis. Despite his impressive performance, he wants to have more influence off the court by becoming the veteran leader that the team needs him to be.

“You know, everybody started telling me that. ‘You’re going to be the old guy there,’ and I’m starting to feel like the old guy, my knee’s sore, my ankle’s sore, my back,” Valanciunas said, per Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. “No, I’m happy with that role, I’m going to try to teach young guys what I know, what I experienced, and we’re going to keep building on that, we’re going to move forward. It’s going to be fun to see next year. We’ve got such a young team.”

The 27-year-old forward isn't really the oldest guy on the Grizzlies right now, as they also have Andre Iguodala (35), Jae Crowder (29) and Solomon Hill (28). However, given the fact that he'll arguably be their best player next season, he wants to teach some of the younger guys the lessons he's learned throughout his seven-year career.

The Grizzlies will be building their future around Jaren Jackson Jr. and this year's second overall pick Ja Morant, and they're hoping Valanciunas' presence will help them develop into the franchise players that the team hopes they could be.