Houston, TX (My Sportsbook) - The Houston Rockets have reportedly come to terms on a contract with 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming, the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft. The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that Yao and the Rockets have agreed to a deal worth just over $3.8 million for next season and a package of $17.8 million over four years, with the fourth season at the club's option. Yao still has to get approval from the Chinese Basketball Association before he can sign with the Rockets. The newspaper reported that Rockets attorney Michael Goldberg said there were no hurdles preventing an agreement with the CBA, which includes Yao's former team, the Shanghai Sharks. The CBA is expected to hold off on providing clearance for Yao until he finishes playing for China in the Asian Games, which ends Monday. The 22-year-old Yao helped lead the Sharks to their first Chinese Basketball Association championship earlier this year. He made 72.1 percent of his shots and averaged 32.4 points and 19 rebounds during the season. The Sharks had originally withheld Yao from the draft because Chinese sports officials feared his departure could cause further damage to its fledgling professional league. |
