So... what do we know about this? Is he going to be ready for training camp? Is his career over? Somewhere in between?
I believe he is basically recovered but isn't doing 5v5. Probably won't have any updates until training camp. I expect he stays on the roster and the Blazers try to get him back on the court this coming season. If he is playing games and looks like his old self he would have trade value at the deadline. Until then no team is going to want him unless we give up assets or something which doesn't make sense.
Next summer he'll be an expiring 13.2 million contract, so yeah I believe the plan is to try to get him health and trade at the deadline or just keep him for trade filler the following year.
...they could also let that 13.2 come off of their cap. If their young/cheap guys are trending up this next season, getting below the cap to later target the right FAs is a legit path to a winning roster as well. In general, FAs with options want to A. get paid B. win. IF the Blazers can offer both, they will come to PDX. STOMP
As filler in a larger trade this summer (assume the medical and reports are clean), Time Lord is useful for his size of contract, age 26, and productivity when healthy … After showing good health and effective play this fall, Time Lord’s value increases while teams start needing early-season, cost-effective replacements. By the February deadline, assuming good health and no setbacks, his value is at MAX (or in a negative scenario, set in stone). Reportedly, Williams had surgery rather than opting for just rehab to plan for the long-term with the Blazers. Rehabbing alone and returning would have been about helping the team AND rehabbing his trade value to other teams.
