Contract talks between the New York Knicks and forward Kurt Thomas have stalled.

"We've had discussions but they haven't been very fruitful," said Thomas' agent, Jerry Hicks. "The fact that they've expressed interest in doing something with Kurt, we interpret that to be a positive, but nothing has happened."

Thomas can opt-out of his contract this summer, which he is likely to do if he doesn't get an extension.

DALLAS (AP) The Dallas Mavericks were awarded forward Scott Williams on a waiver claim Friday, giving them a much-needed defensive presence in the low post.

The 6-foot-10 Williams, a 13-year veteran, was waived Wednesday by the Phoenix Suns. There were reports in Los Angeles that the Lakers planned to sign Williams, but the Mavericks claimed his contract.

``The Lakers didn't put a claim on him,'' agent Arn Tellem said. ``He's happy. This is what he wanted.''

Williams appeared in 16 games for Phoenix, including 10 starts, and averaged 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. He won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls from 1991-93.

One of the league's worst defensive teams, the Mavericks have allowed teams to score 99.8 points _ the highest opponents' average of any NBA team.

Williams is expected to be uniform Saturday against Denver.

Dallas had an open spot on its roster and did not have to make another move.

The Phoenix Suns waived forward Scott Williams on Wednesday, freeing him up to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

Williams' Agent, Arn Tellum, has assurance from all teams except the Los Angeles Lakers that they won't claim him off waivers.

However, the Lakers have shown no interest in Williams.

Williams is greatful to the Suns for letting go play for a contender.

"The Valley is home for me and my family," Williams said. "I look forward to coming back in the off-season and seeing everybody at Bank One Ballpark and Houston's (restaurant)."

DALLAS (AP) The Dallas Mavericks placed guard Tony Delk on the injured list with a sprained left ankle and activated forward Eduardo Najera on Wednesday.

Najera missed the past 17 games due to a sore left knee. He averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 28 games this season.

Delk, who missed the past eight games, averaged 6.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 29 games.

Isiah Thomas's prime objective this week is to move Shandon Anderson, and having failed in that pursuit so far, the Knicks president may force the Knicks' versatile swingman onto the injured list against his will, according to a management official.

Thomas has pitched three different trades in the last week, and come up empty on all three: Anderson to Portland for Ruben Patterson, to Dallas for Tariq Abdul-Wahad, and to Toronto for Lamond Murray and another player.
   
And after failing to move Anderson, Thomas, according to the official, instructed Anderson to undergo an MRI Monday -- ostensibly to learn more about the source of his migraines.

The Phoenix Suns are willing to release forward/center Scott Williams so that he can play for a contender in the Dallas Mavericks.

However, Williams wants to make sure that no other team will claim off waivers and he has no assurance that won't happen.

"League sources told ESPN.com that Williams' agent, Arn Tellem, is "working to ensure that other teams don't claim him" before Williams is released, which could happen as soon as Wednesday. Williams has said that if he can't choose the team that claims him, he'd prefer to finish the season on the Suns' bench. Phoenix has already offered Williams a spot as an assistant coach, and Williams has made it clear that he hopes to make Phoenix his permanent base when he's done playing."

The Mavericks have held a roster spot for former Portland center Arvydas Sabonis but failed twice in their attempts to lure him back to the States.

DALLAS (AP) The owners of the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings would love to see an NBA team in one of the nation's fastest-growing cities, even if that locale also is the nation's gambling capital _ Las Vegas.

While discussing the topic of expansion, Mavs owner Mark Cuban and Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said during a conference call Thursday that Las Vegas was their top choice for a 31st franchise, whenever the league is ready to expand again. A 30th team will start next season in Charlotte, N.C.

Actually, Cuban called Las Vegas ``my first bet,'' a phrase that cuts to the reason why such a booming area lacks a team in any of the four major pro sports.

Because gambling is legal in the city _ including at a hotel owned by the Maloof family _ the NBA and other leagues have preferred to literally distance themselves.

The league's board of governors last discussed Las Vegas' viability in 1999. Commissioner David Stern said sports books would have to stop taking wagers on pro basketball if the NBA put a franchise there.

Las Vegas came up Thursday in response to a question about whether Baltimore could be the NBA's next market.

``Baltimore possibly, but my first bet would be Las Vegas,'' Cuban said.

``I would second that,'' Maloof said.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank, who took part in the call, later said the league has no expansion plans, noting that even the addition of Charlotte came about because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the departure of the Hornets.

Asked about Stern's stance on Las Vegas, Frank said: ``If we determine down the road to expand, he'll take anything into consideration.''

Another expansion option the owners discussed was taking the league overseas. Maloof said he thinks it would work _ eventually.

``I think it's a ways away,'' he said. ``Not within five years, maybe 10 years. But I think it can become a reality.''

Cuban called Europe ``a potential marketplace,'' but stressed that the NBA must first maximize its U.S. base.

``I wouldn't be a big proponent until our ratings are rivaling the NFL. I think our product is that good that it can,'' he said.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Donn Nelson cautioned not to read too much into his meeting with Portland general manager John Nash.

The Dallas Mavericks aren't looking to make a trade for troubled Trail Blazers forward Rasheed Wallace.

``There has never been an offer, there isn't one and I don't expect there to be one,'' said Nelson, Dallas' president of basketball operations. ``It's really just a media fabrication more than anything else.''

Nelson met with Nash on Saturday night before the Mavericks came to Portland and beat the Blazers 108-104. It was Portland's fourth straight loss and eighth in nine games.

``We just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything we were missing, and there wasn't, so we just kind of move on our separate ways,'' Nelson said.

The rumored deal had Wallace going to Dallas for Antawn Jamison and various other players _ something Nash wouldn't address.

``I'm not going to comment on rumors, and we're not going to discuss trades. That we are exploring our options is about the extent of it,'' Nash said.

Wallace's salary and turbulent history with the team have pointed to him a prime trade candidate. Wallace is in the final year of his contract that pays him $17 million this season.

After missing four games with a sprained ankle, Wallace had 24 points against Dallas. Afterward, he only briefly responded to a question about how he felt: ``I'm cool, man.''

Wallace is in his eighth season in the NBA, his talent tempered by inconsistency. He gained notoriety during the 2000-01 season, when he was called for an NBA record 41 technical fouls.

Last season, Wallace and teammate Damon Stoudamire were cited in Washington state on marijuana charges while returning from a game in Seattle against the SuperSonics.

His troubles continued when the NBA suspended him for seven games for threatening an official on the loading dock of Portland's Rose Garden arena after a game.

It was the longest suspension ever imposed by the NBA for something that didn't involve physical contact or substance abuse.

This season, Wallace has had continued trouble both on and off the court.

For the first time in four seasons, Wallace is not the team's top scorer. That honor goes to Zach Randolph, who is averaging 21.5 points and 11.2 rebounds. Wallace is second with 17 points and 6.6 rebounds.

A former teammate of Rasheed Wallace says that the Portland power forward is intrigued by the possibility of joining the Knicks.

"Who wouldn't love it?" said Bulls guard Rick Brunson, a former Knick. "The more he keeps hearing about the Knicks the more he wants it to happen. But nobody knows what Portland is going to do."

Brunson and Wallace are longtime friends who were teammates in Portland, most recently two years ago. The Blazers are entertaining offers for Wallace, who becomes a free agent this summer.

The Knicks likely would have to trade Keith Van Horn to make a deal work for Wallace, although the Blazers would prefer to have Kurt Thomas included in a potential swap. Portland has had ongoing discussions with Dallas about a possible Wallace-for-Antawn Jamison swap.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Point guard Steve Nash did not start for the Dallas Mavericks against the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night because of a sore right hip.

Travis Best made his first start of the season in Nash's place.

Nash, averaging 14.2 points and 8.2 assists, played 10 minutes of the Mavericks' 91-88 victory Friday night over the Denver Nuggets.

Nash first injured the hip last Sunday at Detroit. An MRI this week showed a bruise.