In a busy off-season of monumental player moves, the NBA went through another one on Wednesday, as the Houston Rockets acquired Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings.

Artest must be pretty pleased going to a playoff contender (although he frankly could care less unless the money’s not good). But one of Ron’s future teammates, Yao Ming, voiced a little reservation about Artest landing with the Rockets.

Fran Blinebury of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE caught up with Yao, whose currently playing with the Chinese team in a pre-Olympic tournament. When Yao heard of the deal, he expressed some concern - but it’s nothing personal, of course:

“For some reason, I like (Artest),” Yao said. “Because in the games we play against him, I hate him.

“When I text messaged with Luis (Scola), we talked about team chemistry. That’s only what worries us.

“We worry about the new attitude to the team. We are adding talent to the team and we need that, but building team chemistry is important. This is not bad. I don’t mean he is not welcome to Houston. But a new player always needs some time.

“Also, he was the biggest part of a team in Sacramento. He was a star player. We need more chemistry and more communication.”

Yao might be careful not to step on anybody’s toes - he already has enough foot problems. But he’s just being honest:

“There’s worry. Obviously, yes,” said Yao. “We will think about it, of course. Hopefully, he’s not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands.”

Too bad Artest won’t be in Beijing this summer. August 10 might have been a very compelling match-up. Heck, people might have actually tuned in to NBC to watch.

Not that anyone in town would be able to read about it online the next day.