Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley made it through the trade deadline without getting dealt, but he knows that trade rumors will likely surface again this summer.

However, in spite of the trade talk and the fact that the Grizzlies are one of the worst teams in the league, Conley has embraced a leadership role as the veteran on what is now a very young team:

“I know that, in my situation, a lot of people would’ve reacted in a lot of different ways, and the last few weeks and the last few months have been tough,” Conley said, according to Omari Sankofa II of The Athletic. “But I know the guys respect that I come in the same way every day, regardless of who’s on the court with me. I’m just pumping everybody up, trying to push as much as I can out of every single person that’s on the floor. I want to see everybody succeed, I want to see everybody do well and win. That’s my job and I’m going to try to continue to be that leader.”

Article Continues Below
More Memphis Grizzlies News
Kevin Durant, Lauri Markkanen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant
Why bold Memphis Grizzlies trade ideas to land an All-Star can workChris Dodson ·
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum.
Grizzlies reveal Zach Edey timeline after surgeryMiguel La Torre ·
Tuomas Iisalo, Grizzlies EVP Zach Kleiman, Herb Jones, Lauri Markkanen
Why Grizzlies’ Zach Edey experiment might be done this offseasonChris Dodson ·
Featured image Murray State baseball
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant’s ecstatic 3-word reaction to Murray State reaching CWSDylan Fine ·
image thumbnail
How Grizzlies must survive without Zach Edey until next March MadnessChris Dodson ·
Ja Morant, Tuomas Iisalo, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Grizzlies progress report
How Grizzlies, Ja Morant improved offensively under Tuomas IisaloChris Dodson ·

Conley understands his time in Memphis may be limited, and the fact that his long-time teammate Marc Gasol was traded at the deadline earlier this month did nothing to dissuade those worries. Still, Conley is remaining professional:

“It’s definitely hard not to, given the last few weeks man,” Conley said. “It’s obviously been emotional. It’s definitely hard not to look at the summer, what’s going to happen and what’s the plan and stuff like that. For me, the challenge is to just stay locked in as much as I can and be present and be the guy for this team who can be that leader, help the younger guys. I have a bigger-than-me attitude and I just have to keep that going for the next couple months.”