This is the fallout from the 76ers' decision to waive Matt Geiger and his subsequent decision to retire:

* MichaelRuffin arrived to fill the vacated roster spot.

* Generalmanager Billy King applied to NBA authorities for an injury exception that would provide a salary slot worth half of Geiger's $8 million-plus salary.

* King said he also would apply for salary-cap relief from Geiger's salary of nearly $8.7 million next season and nearly $9.4 million in 2003-04.

The wheels won't stop turning there. King said he was "pretty optimistic" the Sixers would be granted an injury exception. Should the Sixers use it, that would mean yet another roster move.

And coach Larry Brown sounded as if one were more than necessary.

"I'm happy with Ruffin - he's exactly what we needed and wanted," Brown said after the newest Sixer played 13 minutes in last night's 79-68 victory over Cleveland. "He's so much like [ex-Sixer] George Lynch in his personality and approach. But we might have to tweak our team a little bit. Maybe the exception will help us do that."