BEIJING, July 10 -- The NBA has granted an injury exception for Yao Ming. The Houston Rockets had applied for a disabled player exception a week ago as his hairline fracture had yet to heal.

The NBA approved the request, freeing about US$5.7 million that the Rockets used to sign free agent Trevor Ariza from the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA general manager Daryl Morey said the league's approval for the exemption does not rule out Yao's return this season.

The Xinmin Evening News reported yesterday that Yao had decided to have a surgery. However, any surgery could be risky with a 20 to 30 percent chance that it could potentially end his career.

In a statement released by his agent on Wednesday, Yao said he was "optimistic about the future" and that he would "return to playing basketball when my foot has fully healed."

"My focus is on selecting the best treatment option for my injured foot and committing myself to do what I can to ensure a complete recovery."

Yao broke his foot in a second-round playoff game against the Lakers on May 8. He was fitted for a boot that immobilized his foot and the team initially said he would miss 8-12 weeks.

The Rockets said less than two months later that tests showed Yao's foot had not healed and he was out indefinitely. The team doctor said later that the injury could potentially end his career.

Houston would mostly likely acquire a center to replace Yao through a trade this summer.

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