Yao Ming arrives in Houston! Rockets discuss expanding trades, the Lakers are interested in Whitmore

Yao Ming once made the Rockets the home team of Chinese fans. After retiring for many years, he returned to where the dream began.

Rockets celebrity Yao Ming arrived in Houston, and some fans joked: Does he want to come back and win the championship ring?

Yao Ming met with Rockets General Manager Stone and Feltita, Jr. Rockets general manager Stone's wife Felicia Stone updated the social media and posted a photo of the three. She also wrote: Have fun with your brothers. Raphael (Stone) was very happy to meet Yao Ming.

Yao Ming is coming to Houston with his family this time, and he looks in a good mood.

S was scolded by fans for several seasons, and many people expressed their hope that he would be dismissed. Now Stone has become a strong contender for the General Manager of the Year, and he has made continuous moves to build the Rockets into a championship-level team.

Durant's big deal will not be officially announced until July 7. The Rockets are still discussing expanding the deal.

TA reporter Fred Katz revealed that Durant's deal may expand to a seven-team big deal that sets an NBA record. In addition to the Rockets and Suns, the teams currently participating in the negotiations include the Hawks, Nets, Warriors, Lakers and Timberwolves.

Salary expert Yossi Gozlan, a US media media "HoopsHype", said that if the Rockets successfully expand the scale of their transactions, they can retain potential new star Whitmore. The Rockets could integrate Finney Smith or Capela into Durant's big deal to balance the salary, and then keep Whitmore.

Suns team reporter John Gambadoro followed up and revealed that Durant's trade size will indeed expand to seven NBA teams participating, but this is only for labor and capital considerations, and no new players will join or leave the Suns.

Lakers team reporter Anthony Irwin also talked about this potential seven-team deal, and he mentioned Whitmore's name.

Anthony Irwin said: The Lakers are interested in Whitmore. If the Rockets want to lower their salary, Durant's trade widens the scope and adds Dorian Finney Smith's signings, then Whitmore could be the trader, looking to play a bigger role.

The Lakers held the No. 17 draw in 2023, and they had followed Whitmore before the draft. At that time, TA reporter Jovan Buha revealed that the Lakers considered choosing Cam Whitmore with the No. 17 pick, but in the end they chose Jaylen Hood Sifino.

Jaylen Hood Sifino is 1.93 meters tall and is a dual-sports guard with average athletic ability and relatively comprehensive skills. At that time, he was favored by the Lakers' management, but unfortunately he failed to play and was given up early.

Although Rockets general manager Stone is optimistic about Whitmore's potential and many Houston fans support him, Uduka doesn't give him many opportunities. Even though Jaylen Green was in a state of unstable condition, Uduka still placed Whitmore on the bench.

Whitmore played only 53 regular season games last season, averaging 16 minutes of playing time, with a data of 9.4 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, shooting percentage of 44.4% and three-point shooting percentage of 35.5%. Whitmore scored 27 points against the Thunder and scored 34 points against the Lakers. His offensive talent is visible to the naked eye. But only offense is not popular among the Rockets. Uduka believes that Whitmore's defense and passing balls cannot meet his requirements. Whitmore only played 5 minutes in the playoffs.

The Houston Chronicle recently stated that the Rockets may send Whitmore away for a future draft pick.