National Basketball Association

Sources: Rockets might trade Yao

Published Dec. 27, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Houston Rockets are considering trading center and seven-time NBA All-Star Yao Ming, sources said Monday.

Yao is injured and out for the rest of the season, and insurance on his contract will cover a significant portion of what remains on his deal — about $8 million.

League sources said five or six teams have reached out to the Rockets expressing interest in Yao's contract. Any team would be responsible for the remainder of his contract, with the Rockets receiving salary cap flexibility and/or a player in return.

However, all talks with other NBA teams about a potential deal are in the early stages.

The Rockets have not ruled out re-signing the tallest player in the NBA, who stands at 7 feet 6 inches. The team is waiting on information they receive from their doctors, sources said.

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.