To nobody's surprise, Yao Ming was voted as the West's starting center for the All-Star game. He will not even attend the game, as he will be rehabbing his stress fracture and ankle injury.

Yao has been voted into the All-Star game eight times in his nine seasons, thanks to a huge amount of fan votes from China. The league will name a replacement, but this still highlights the flaws of the current voting system.

The Warriors may attempt to sign Yao Ming as a free agent this summer, even though he's expected to miss 10 months following another ankle surgery.

Yao isn't even guaranteed to play in the NBA again, but Golden State hopes to increase their profile in the Bay Area's Asian community and would "jump at signing Yao for a reasonable price." That said, it's painful to picture him lumbering around in their speedy system.

Yao Ming underwent ankle surgery in Houston Thursday, sources tell Yahoo's Marc Spears.

No new news here. We knew Yao would need surgery a couple weeks ago and he's already been ruled out for the season. The only drama remaining is if the Rockets will keep him or use his expiring contract as a bargaining chip. Yao still plans on rehabbing and trying to continue his NBA career.

The Rockets reportedly contacted the Kings about a trade sending Yao Ming and his $17.7 million expiring contract in exchange for DeMarcus Cousins and Samuel Dalembert.

Unsurprisingly, the Kings quickly shot that one down. There will be a team that takes on the contract to clear space for future years, but the Rockets are unlikely to get much in return dealing from a position of weakness.

The Houston Chronicle confirms that the Rockets are exploring trading away Yao Ming's expiring contract, but says nothing is imminent.

The Kings have been mentioned as a trading partner, but they won't give up DeMarcus Cousins. The Bobcats may try to dump Boris Diaw or Nazr Mohammed on Houston, but that won't really help them. The best offers the Rockets will get will come around the February trading deadline.

The Rockets are "exploring Yao Ming trade[s] on several fronts," according to Yahoo! Sports.

Yao has a $17 million expiring contract, of which about $8 million will be covered by insurance. The league may also grant a disable player exception, another beneficial financial wrinkle, though there is no indication how serious these 'explorations' are at the moment.

Rockets GM Daryl Morey hasn't ruled out giving Yao Ming (ankle, feet) a contract extension.

Yao is out for the season and his contract is up at the end of the year. The Rockets will want to see if he can make it back from an expected 10-month rehab, but it's unclear what they'll be willing to pay. Yao is far from a lock to play again in the NBA.

The Associated Press reports that the Rockets have asked the NBA for a disabled player salary cap exception on Yao Ming.

If the league grants the exception it would grant the Rockets some financial flexibility, but it wouldn't necessarily be the precursor to any other moves. Yao is done for the season and is expected to require surgery, with his NBA future uncertain.

Yao Ming is officially out for the season and will likely require surgery, in which case he'll be out about 10 months.

No surprise here, and Rockets GM Daryl Morey said that it's too early to know what the future holds for Yao. He could attempt another comeback, though more stress fractures are a real possibility, or he could retire.

Yao Ming and the Rockets are exploring every option in the wake of yet another season-ending stress fracture in his ankle.

A course of action is expected to be announced on Monday, and Yao is trying to remain optimistic about his future. "I haven't died," he said on Thursday. "Right now I'm drinking a beer and eating fried chicken. What were you expecting, a funeral?"

Yao Ming has been diagnosed with another stress fracture in his left ankle, and his future in the NBA is being questioned.

This is the same ankle as his previous fracture, though not the same bone. The gentle giant simply cannot stay healthy, sadly, and he's done for the year. It remains to be seen whether he attempts yet another comeback in 2011 -- in the meantime, Houston will try to survive with Chuck Hayes, Brad Miller, and Jordan Hill as their centers.

Yao Ming (ankle/leg) has still not been cleared to rejoin team workouts.

Yao has not played since Nov. 10. There has not been a setback here, it's just a case of the Rockets exercising extreme caution. Coach Rick Adelman said he has no not been told when he will get Yao back on the practice court.

Yao Ming is still waiting to be cleared by doctors, but says he's ready to get back on the court.

"I tell them everyday," Yao said about his ankle being ready. But the doctors want him to strengthen it further before coming back, which makes a lot of sense.

Yao Ming (ankle/leg) will not practice this week.

The Rockets claim Yao hasn't had a setback, but the original target date for his return was last night. The new company line is that he is out "indefinitely." Considering the limitations on Yao even when he is relatively healthy, the once-dominant big man is a borderline fantasy option in most formats.

Yao Ming (leg) didn't practice on Monday and will not play in Tuesday's game.

He practiced fully on Thursday and could practice again on Wednesday, but it's obviously still going to be a long and slow ride back for Yao. He could easily play this week, but we find it hard to believe his minutes or numbers are going to be too impressive. Yes, he's worth a flier in most leagues, but there will be plenty of risk to go along with the potential reward.

Yao Ming made it through Thursday's full-contact practice in good shape and is still targeting Tuesday's game against the Pistons for a return to action.

This was his first practice since he suffered a left ankle injury on November 10. "I feel my body is not heavy," he said. "That's good news. I can't say my ankle is 100 percent but it's close. It's just weakness, there's no pain there." He may or may not be ready for Tuesday, but if you've got your eye on him and are thinking about picking him up, it's time.

Yao Ming (leg/ankle) is targeting Tuesday's game against the Pistons for his return.

Yao will go through his first full-contact practice in weeks Thursday. At that point, we'll have a better idea if this target date is realistic. Regardless, nothing will change with Yao's limitations. He still won't play on back-to-backs and he won't play more than 24 minutes a game.

Yao Ming (leg) and Aaron Brooks (ankle) are still weeks away from returning, according to coach Rick Adelman.

Yao is at least two weeks away still and Brooks may be out even longer with his ankle sprain. Holding Yao in a deep league might make a little sense, but in 10- or 12-team leagues, he's going to be more of a headache than he's worth.

Yao Ming (ankle) is hoping to return to as soon as he is cleared.

Yao is very aware of his projected timetable. "Two weeks, three days ago," Yao said Monday. "I'm counting the hours." Yao will need time to get back in shape and still won't be cleared for back-to-backs or more than 24 minutes a night upon his return.

Yao Ming will miss at least two more weeks -- his foot is fine but he has a bone bruise in his ankle.

The injury woes have already begun for Yao, and ironically (or predictably) they struck just after Houston decided to raise his minute-limit. Brad Miller will continue to hold down the starting center spot, with Chuck Hayes and Jordan Hill as reserves.