The NBA has granted the Houston Rockets an injury exception for Yao Ming, meaning the all-star center will more than likely miss next season.

The Rockets used the salary-cap exception of $5.854 million on Wednesday to sign free-agent Trevor Ariza, but according to Houston general manager Daryl Morey, the recruitment green light does not rule out Yao's return during the upcoming season.

The giant from Shanghai is still consulting doctors on the appropriate treatment for the hairline fracture in his left foot, a decision on which will be made public next week.