UPDATE: It occurred to me after posting that Imagineering "could" bring back Trader Sam in a slightly different capacity now that Jungle Cruise has gifted him a curio shop scene. What if, they were to have a sleeping (on break) Sam stretch across a hammock at the back of the hut. Only seen as we pass by? The scene could play similarly to POTC's Hairy Leg Pirate where all we see of Sam is a map resting on his face bobbing up and down as if breathing shallow breath while he sleeps, his sunken body inside the hammock, with an arm dangling over the side clutching his iconic top hat and animated leg bobbing back and forth. The sign at the shop did say he'd be back in a few minutes. Perhaps he's out back taking a nap?
Sadly I don't think Disney is that creative anymore. My money's on something "Diverse"