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.