In an interview with ESPN The Magazine, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Yao Ming could return at some point in the 2009-10 season and the team no longer feels his broken left foot is a career-threatening injury.

"Yao Ming is progressing well. I don't think that [a career-ending scenario] is something that will happen, based on what I'm hearing from the doctors," Morey told Alipour. "They do know that the bone will heal and he'll get back on it. And they have not actually ruled out [his return] this season. I think that's less likely than likely, but they haven't ruled it out.

"And next season, the outlook is very good. He just took off the cast for a short period [two weeks ago], so the doctors could examine it, and everything is going well. Everything is on track."

Tracy McGrady is ahead of schedule in his recovery from microfracture surgery back in February.

"He's way, way ahead of schedule," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told the Houston Chronicle. "He's already playing. I don't think anyone could have predicted he would be playing now. He still has a long way to go. There is a lot of rust to shake off."

Still, Houston doesn't expect him to be ready for the start of training camp despite the improvements he's made.

"It would seem that way," Morey said of an early return. "That's not where the doctors are. It's a slow process. I don't expect to see him ready for Day 1 of training camp."

Ron Artest is unhappy with the way the Rockets treated him as a free agent this summer.

Artest signed a five-year deal with the Lakers for less than he was making in Houston.

"Houston did me dirty," wrote Artest on his Twitter page on Saturday. "I can't wait til next year when we go to Houston. I'm not shooting. All defense. Somebody getting locked da [expletive] up."

NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports Thursday the Houston Rockets have reached a verbal agreement on a contract with free agent forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who has yet to sign the deal.

Mensah-Bonsu's agent was not ready to confirm an agreement is in place, but he didn't dispute it either.

"We are working to get through a couple of minor things that I'm sure will get resolved," said John Greig, Mensah-Bonsu's agent, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

"We are waiting on some things from the league that could impact this."

Australian center David Andersen signed a three-year deal with the Rockets this week, and hopes fans don't expect the second coming of Yao Ming.

Yao is expected to miss the entire 2009-10 season after having foot surgery.

Andersen isn't a banging center, and is more of a finesse player than Yao.

"Yao Ming's one of the premier players in the league," Andersen said Friday, according to the Houston Chronicle. "It's impossible to replace Yao here. I'm just looking forward to trying to help the team with the challenges that are coming because of Yao being out."

Andersen is expected to start at center for the Rockets entering the 2009-10 season.

Yao Ming has resumed light training for the first time since having surgery on his left foot.

Yao revealed the latest step in his rehabilitation on his Facebook page.

The Rockets center suffered a hairline fracture in his left foot during the team's second-round playoff loss to the Lakers.

He is still expected to miss the entire 2009-10 season.

Von Wafer has signed a two-year deal with Olympiakos of Greece.

Wafer, who made close to $800,000 with the Rockets last season, told KRIV-TV in Houston of the signing.

The guard added that he has an opt-out clause in the contract that will allow him to return to the NBA after one season.

The Houston Rockets reached a contract agreement with Chase Budinger, according to his agent Kevin Bradbury.

Bradbury told FOX 26 Sports that Budinger's deal with the Rockets is for two years with team options for two more years.

"This is a great opportunity for Chase," Bradbury said. "The Rockets really stepped up by giving him a deal that is comparable to what a first rounder would receive.

"Chase is excited about the opportunity and feels there is a spot for him there."

Von Wafer has been signed by Olympiakos to a $5 million contract over two years.

Wafer emerged as one of the Houston's best wing players off the bench after moving around the NBA.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated that Tracy McGrady has begun working out with trainer Tim Grover.

"Rockets GM Daryl Morey tells me that T-Mac has started doing some drills with Tim Grover. Still no timetable on possible return," Mannix wrote on his Twitter page.

McGrady underwent shoulder surgery in late May.