Is anyone else intrigued by the Rocket's situation?

[Fafnir]

I think Yao opts out though.

Why so?

He's got a potentially career threatening injury, and his guaranteed salary is $17,686,100.  That's more than any team other than Houston can offer on the free agent market.

I understand that with his injury issues, he may be hoping to cash in one more time if he's physically unable to play in the future.  However, there's also the chance that he doesn't land a mega-deal, due to the most recent medical reports.

I think he'll want to cash in asap. I think he opts out and signs and extension with the Rockets. Though another team might get desperate and make a big offer that Houston won't match.

He could easily not, a lot depends on how his foot is healing, but that's how I see it playing out.

Well  Fafnir, you might be right. Elton Brand pulled such a move a few years back electing to opt out after spending virtually the entire season on the sideline. He got his doe too.

It really just depends on whether or not he can come back and show something before the season ends.

Brand's example might scare team's off Yao too though.

Again I think it all comes down to how his foot is healing. I hope he's good to go....

[xmuscularghandix]

McGrady is dead, anyone holding hope for him to come to The Rockets rescue is in denial. I like the OP's trade idea.