While nobody roots for other teams’ players to get injured (at least not openly at the local sports bar with opposing fans within earshot), there is no denying that in sports, sometimes our best breaks are at the misfortunes of others.

Well the Southwest Division, arguably the best in the NBA, may have gotten a touch easier with the news that Rockets big-man Yao Ming will likely be out the rest of next season, and may be seeing an early curtain drawn on his career. While Houston fans may be panicking – and rightly so – the news might not be all so grim.

There are few teams, if any, that are in a better position than the Rockets to withstand the loss of a dominant player. Not being tied to a lengthy or major contract obligation following the Fall of Yao frees the Rockets up to chase a big signing next year when marque names like James, Bosh, Nowitzki, McGrady, Pierce, and Wade become free agents . If you think that this year’s list is full of luminaries (though a little dimmer now with Kobe locked up – no surprise), wait unitl the summer of 2010. It’s gonna be a scorcher.

With that Summer of Sam/Signing and a flexible budget the Rockets could be in a good position to add some stars. What does this mean for the Hornets? Time to tighten the belt like that awful Dunkin’ Donuts commercial. Let’s unload some of the dead weight. We have more money committed than any other team in the NBA and still have to sign Darren Collison. My bet is Tyson Chandler at a cool $11.85M may be one of the first deals the Hornets make this off-season.