Jason Kidd said at practice for the Olympic qualifying team yesterday that when he spoke with Kenyon Martin on Sunday night, Martin told Kidd that, despite recent reports, he never demanded a trade from the Nets.

"He told me that he never asked to be traded or anything like that," Kidd said. "He said that never came from his mouth, and I believe him. He wants to stay with this team if it's at all possible.

"I felt a lot better after talking to him. I hung up the phone and felt kind of relieved."

Despite Kidd's optimism, Martin is no closer to striking a compromise with the Nets. When reached by phone yesterday afternoon, Brian Dyke, Martin's agent, said he has made no progress in talks with New Jersey.

"We've made it clear what we feel Kenyon deserves, and the Nets feel differently," Dyke said. "Nothing has changed. Rumors will fly and people will talk in public, but all that really matters is what's between (Nets general manager) Rod Thorn and myself."