He's young, tall, affordable, and performed admirably in the playoffs. Yeah, that might have something to do with it.
The best case scenario is that Yao really did take the boot off, which is why his foot worsened, he puts the boot back on for 3 months, and his foot is healed by the time the season begins. At the same time, Morey is able to shed McGrady's contract for difference-making players, and we re-sign Ron Artest. Our draft picks flourish, and we have scoring threats all over the floor. Everyone stays healthy, and we win the NBA Championship. You said best case, not most realistic case (though this case is not entirely impossible).
