Freeman: Blazers GM Neil Olshey Unsure Whether Elliot Williams Is Part Of Future

Portland Trail Blazers guard Elliot Williams, who underwent season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles back in September, is reportedly participating in some light drill work during practice.

Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports that Blazers GM Neil Olshey doesn't know what the future holds for Williams, who has played just 24 total games since being a 2010 first-round pick. In addition to the Achilles, Williams, 23, has also missed time due to multiple knee surgeries and a shoulder injury. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after the Blazers decided not to pick up his rookie option in the fall.

"Right now we just don't have a big enough sample size to make a decision on whether Elliot is a part of the future or he isn't," Olshey said Tuesday. "We've been able to evaluate everybody else on the roster. But with him, there's still some uncertainty there and we wanted to keep him in the fold going forward."

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Williams plans to work out in both Portland and Los Angeles after the season and hopes to land with a team in time for NBA Summer League.

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"I felt last year that I showed my ability to play," Williams said. "This is a city that I really like and it means a lot that they kept me. I'm not going to rush anything. I'm not going to take any crazy risks. But I'm coming back - I'm coming back healthy and for good."

Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com has a few more quotes.

Just last week, team trainer Jay Jensen gave the athletic guard the go-ahead to start doing some running, a sign that Williams is getting his legs stronger.

"I'm not 100 percent," Williams said to CSNNW.com. "I'm doing a little bit above jogging and just progressing from there. Without a limp, I can probably go 60-65 percent, but with a limp, I can push it probably to 75-80 percent."

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"I don't know the normal procedure but the doctor said it would take up to 11 to 12 months to completely heal," he said. "It's been five and a half months and I'm feeling pretty good. "I'm going to make a full recovery. I should. With my health and how young I am and how much hard work I put into it, I'm getting healthy. I just want to make sure I'm healthy and ready to start off right next year."

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter