Karl Malone trade rumors refuse to die.

A columnist for the Journal News in White Plains, N.Y., reported Friday that the New Jersey Nets will inquire about the Utah Jazz star's availability this summer.

Citing a "source close to team ownership," columnist Ian O'Connor ? writing from El Segundo, Calif., site of the Los Angeles Lakers' practice facility ? said you could "bet on (Nets GM) Rod Thorn making a phone call as smart as the one he placed to Phoenix last year. That call will go to Salt Lake City, where the Mailman might be packaged and shipped to an overnight destination closer to the NBA throne."
     
Thorn declined to confirm that report, saying, "Like all organizations we'll sit down at the end of the year and see what we can do to get better. We're very happy with our team. We've come a long way, but we still have some growing to do."