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.”

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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.”