Conley expects to be ready for training camp coming off heel surgery

In an effort to avoid any setbacks as he continues his recovery from heel surgery in January, Mike Conley is playing it safe while at Team USA minicamp.

His goal is to be fully cleared for training camp with the Memphis Grizzlies this fall, and the 30-year-old point guard remains on course to achieve that.

"I'm doing really well. I wish I could've participated in contact stuff," Conley said, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "I think I could, but we're being cautious and allowing me to get a full summer of rehab. I should be ready to go by training camp - I expect to be ready."

Conley isn't allowed to participate in five-on-five drills yet but has done some halfcourt work while in Las Vegas. This comes after a 2017-18 campaign in which he suited up for just 12 outings due to a left Achilles injury, as well as his season-ending surgery to smooth a small bone protrusion in his left heel.

"With anything dealing with Achilles, it takes time and you got to be patient to deal with it," he said. "Right now, it's all starting to come together. I'm so used to making a move and I expect pain. I got used to pain with some of the moves. Now I make the moves and there's nothing there, so that's exciting."

Memphis finished with a losing record (22-60) last year and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Conley averaged a career-best 20.5 points the season prior, to go along with 6.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals on 46 percent shooting for the 43-win Grizzlies.