The articles that were posted at the time, only say that he signed a 3 year contract, without going into details. So that is probably where the confusion comes from. Some assumed that "contracted" meant senior roster.
I don't know exactly how the contract works, or if it provides for promotion to the senior roster. I would imagine that like most contracts, its 2 years with an option.
As for KNOWING that he's not on the senior roster. It is something I have personally confirmed, but you can also understand it from everything that Trev has said in interviews. Particularly when it comes to numbers, he has been completely consistent. eg:
He said that we had 7 contracted players effected by the salary-cuts. (Cotton, Norton, Kay, Wagstaff, Steindl, Lo Buluk, and Jook)
After Kay opted out and Cotton re-signed, he said we had 5 slots, but 4 if they exercised their option on Majok.
It has since been reported, when we exercised Jook's option, that we have 4 spots remaining.
We are hoping that Martin can return, and the delay to December certainly helps that.
We are hoping that Kay will re-sign.
We are hoping that Cotton naturalises, giving us the option of filling the last two slots with imports. Remains to be seen though, we may opt for a local Marquee, or a local bench player, in the mix.
Only way I would see us promoting Travers at this time, is if Martin retires AND we think he can play PG.
I haven't seen enough of him, but my read is that he's a long-term SG prospect.