Are the Rockets Ready to Blast Off Yao Ming?

(via Fox 26)

HOUSTON - NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports the Houston Rockets are considering trading center Yao Ming.

League sources told FOX 26 five or six teams have reached out to the Rockets expressing interest in Yao's contract.

Yao is injured and out for the season and because of that, insurance on his contract will cover a significant portion of what's left on his deal, about $8 million.

Any team that trades for Yao would be entitled to that payment with the Rockets receiving salary cap flexibility and/or a player in return that could help the club this season.

Sources with knowledge of how the Rockets are thinking tell FOX 26 the Rockets have not ruled out re-signing Yao, depending on the information they receive from their doctors.

Also, if the Rockets were to trade Yao, they would consider trying to bring him back to the franchise this summer after he becomes a free agent.

All talks with other NBA teams about a potential Yao Ming deal are in the early stages.

Meanwhile, the Rockets are also in the process of trying to get a disabled player exception for Yao because of his season-ending injury.

If granted, it would give the Rockets the additional ability to trade for a player without matching salaries up to the mid-level exception, about $5.75 million.

If the Rockets trade Yao, the request for the exception would end.

(via Fox 26)