The Rockets will be without Chuck Hayes for two-to-four weeks after he sprained his right ankle in practice Thursday.

Hayes had an MRI and an X-ray that showed a "moderate to severe" sprain, according to the team.

He has started 20 games at center in place of the injured Yao Ming, averaging six points, 5.9 rebounds and 21.5 minutes.

Houston is expected to replace him in the starting lineup with either Brad Miller or Jordan Hill.

ESPN.com's Chad Ford wrote in a chat on Wednesday that the Rockets are very active in trade talks.

According to Ford, Yao Ming isn't the only player Houston is making available in trade discussions.

"Rockets are very, very active right now. Virtually everyone on the team is for sale for the right price," Ford wrote.

"I've heard Yao, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Battier all mentioned. Rockets want/need a star right now and are willing to package players together to get it. Problem is their talent level is solid, but overpaid. Martin and Scola are good, but few teams want those contracts. Yao is solid as an expiring contract, but there are tons of those floating around. If you believe Yao will come back, could be some value there, but he's an unrestricted free agent this summer."

The Rockets are looking for a package that includes a prospect, a draft pick and an expiring contract in any deal for Yao Ming, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

"Rockets want combo of prospect, picks and expiring $ for Yao. Teams can get $8M in savings via insurance/chance to re-sign him at cut rate," Wojnarowski wrote on his Twitter page.

The Pistons aren't expected to entertain the idea of acquiring Yao Ming from the Rockets.

The center will miss the remainder of the season and Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday that Houston has begun shopping the former All-Star.

Despite the health risks, the report said "the lure of acquiring Yao for potential suitors is the $8 million in savings that insurance will provide for his $17.7-million expiring contract this season."

The Detroit Free-Press writes that many in the league feel Yao's playing career is over and that the Pistons are believed to be in that camp.

The Rockets have discussed Yao Ming with the Kings and Bobcats, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday afternoon that Houston was shopping the All-Star center.

Sacramento has the sort of young talent that Houston would seek as part of any deal, while Charlotte would likely have to include coveted draft picks in addition to players.

The Kings are against trading rookie DeMarcus Cousins, despite concerns about his character and the team's rough start.

Nothing is imminent, with a trade much more likely around February's deadline.

The Rockets are engaged in trade discussions about Yao Ming with several teams, according to league sources.

Teams are interested in the $8 million in savings that insurance will provide for his $17.7 million expiring contract.

Some potential suitors are interested in re-signing the center to a short-term deal with hopes that his health will finally turn a corner.

He will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his left ankle and there are serious concerns about whether he'll be able to return to the NBA on a full-time basis.

Despite offering him in trades, the Rockets haven't ruled out re-signing Yao to a short-term contract.

Jared Jeffries expects to be traded by the Rockets after he was placed on the inactive list.

Houston made the move in order to add Aaron Brooks back to their roster.

Jeffries has an expiring contract worth $7.4 million.

"Something will happen," Jeffries said. "Whether it happens now or at the trade deadline, I'll just stay ready and in shape. I think if I don't play, at some point I'll get traded and move on.

"The grass isn't always greener. You might go somewhere else and have not as good a situation, not as good a team, not as good a group of guys."

He has also played in nine games this season.

The Rockets nearly traded Jared Jeffries on Wednesday, according to a report from the Houston Chronicle.

Jeffries owns an expiring contract worth $7.4 million.

"Something will happen," Jeffries said. "Whether it happens now or at the trade deadline, I'll just stay ready and in shape. I think if I don't play, at some point I'll get traded and move on.

"The grass isn't always greener. You might go somewhere else and have not as good a situation, not as good a team, not as good a group of guys."

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.

The Rockets have begun the process of seeking a disabled-player exception from the NBA.

With Yao Ming out for the season, Houston expects the exception to be granted.

The exception would allow the Rockets to trade for a player without matching salaries, up to the value of the mid-level exception of $5.765 million. It also would be an option to sign a free agent.