The Portland Trail Blazers have been talking about trading Rasheed Wallace and Ruben Patterson to the New Jersey Nets for Dikembe Mutombo and Kenyon Martin, according to a newspaper report.
"There have been some discussions, but there is not a trade on the table at this moment," coach Maurice Cheeks told The Oregonian.
The Blazers apparently are hesitant to make the trade because Portland general manager John Nash does not want to inherit Mutombo's salary, which is $17.9 million this season and $19.7 million next season.
Wallace is in the final year of a contract which will pay him $17 million.
Meanwhile, Martin has broken off contract talks with the Nets and has asked for a trade, reports ESPN.com's David Aldridge.
Martin, who has one year remaining on his Nets contract, reportedly was seeking a six-year extension worth approximately $87 million, but Aldridge reports the Nets have offered him roughly $66 million.
Martin is not eligible for a new contract until July 2004. He is scheduled to make $5.1 million this season.
"I don't have any comment on any discussions that I have with (Nets president) Rod Thorn," Brian Dyke, Martin's agent, said in a telephone call.
Martin, the No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft, is scheduled to be paid $5.1 million in the final year of his contract.
"Kenyon loves New Jersey, the Nets fans, his teammates and the staff," Dyke said. "This should be fairly obvious by his actions and his charitable works in the community. He has been a valuable part of the Nets' success and wants to feel secure about his future."