Yao Ming is out for the season, but the Rockets haven't ruled out the possibility of signing him to a contract extension.
"We see him as being different than a normal player," general manager Daryl Morey said.
"He is an essential part of the Rockets. Whenever he's done [playing], we want him to be involved with the team as long as he will have us. And if you look at our team, our biggest need is someone in the middle. We hope Yao will be an option there for us."
Houston hasn't ruled out giving Yao an extension into next season.
Even if Yao is not under contract, Morey said the Rockets will do what it can to assist in his rehabilitation.