June, July, August, September, November, December.
6 months. No training camp, shoulder tear means no contact in rehab, hand eye coordination, pass and shot strength and accuracy needs to all be tuned.
Taking the entire January to be back ready, and he still wouldn't have game speed.
Sure, if he heals like an old man, you're correct. Assuming he won't have the worst case scenario healing, he'll be back well before January... and that's still not most of the season. I don't disagree with you that he's not worth a first, but debate in good faith.