The Houston Rockets are seeking to sign Polish center Marcin Gortat after the team's all-star centre Yao Ming is likely to miss the next season due to injury.

The 2.11-meter (6-foot-11) Gortat averaged just 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds a game last season and 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds during the Magic's playoff run to the NBA finals.

He's a restricted free agent, meaning the Magic can match any offer from another team to keep the player.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2009)