Netease Sports: There had been a lot of news/rumors circulating in the media that Golden State Warriors want to acquire Yao Ming; there were also similar reports/rumors about Sacramento Kings too. There seems to be a lot of such trade rumors/news surrounding Yao Ming.

Erik Zhang Mingji: I heard about such trade possibilities a lot far more than you. It just happened every year, even before Yao Ming had played the very first game for Houston Rockets, and I knew that there were real intent for him to be traded away every year. Personally I do not treat them seriously, and I don’t think Yao Ming took them seriously too; it’s just a part of professional sports (and NBA). Of course, now that Yao Ming was injured, the risk for extending his contract is high, and the possibility of seeking a trade of him is higher than when he was healthy. Of course, it takes two to tango, and it requires putting all parties and all conditions and factors together; to me, it is an issue of probability. Personally I think the possibility of trading him away is less than fifty percent (50%), unless the Houston Rockets can now find a young All-Star player.

But for the Rockets, Yao Ming’s contract will expire anyway next summer, and he will be a free agent by then, and there will no longer be this need for a trade.

Of course, Houston Rockets will have an upper hand and priority in contract extension/renewal, but not necessary a big priority now. After his recovery/rehabilitation, it will still take some time for Yao Ming to prove himself. It is impossible that he will be given a maximum contract immediately after he returns from his injury. It is an interesting thing to guess and speculate but the real thing will not happen until all the different factors and combinations come into places.

http://www.yaomingmania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14993

There is a bit more as to the result of the surgery and recovery but it's a long article.