This part here doesn't make any sense to me. None of the players are waiting for Lillard to show up, or whatever/whomever may come in a trade.  This idea of players being in limbo because of the Lillard situation is nonsense.
Limbo is the natural state for most of them. They just have to focus on the job at hand, and whatever happens, happens.  You could be considered the "heart" of the team, told you are safe, then a few days later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
"If Lillard is excused from team activities in the preseason, it's going to demolish Portland's outlook, on top of losing one of the three best players in franchise history. Players will know they're in limbo, they won't have the return assets in place, and
they'll just be missing the player impact inherent in Lillard's salary."