Stephen A. Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Denver wants a big man. Not just any big man, but the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Dikembe Mutombo. As recently as Thursday, Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe approached his staff about Mutombo, according to NBA sources, who said the potential deal would send former Olympian Antonio McDyess and disgruntled Nugget Raef LaFrentz to the Sixers for Mutombo, Matt Harpring and Speedy Claxton.

A deal seems unlikely since some within the Nuggets organization have no interest in reacquiring Mutombo by losing McDyess or LaFrentz. And Sixers GM Billy King has said such a deal would be impossible because Mutombo is "off limits."

"I'm not about to elaborate or be specific about any potential deals," King said last night. "I will admit I've talked to Denver, just like I talk to any other team in the NBA. But I've never put Mutombo on the table. There have been no conversations involving Mutombo."

It's likely that the Nuggets will wait until the February trading deadline nears before doing anything. But two things are true: They want Mutombo; and the Sixers will tell anyone they have four untouchables, including Mutombo, on their roster. For now.