The Philadelphia 76ers have denied that the team is for sale, according to a report by Phil Jasner in the Philadelphia Daily News.  The denial comes after a report surfaced in yesterday's Boston Globe.

"We receive expressions of interest from time to time," Comcast-Spectacor president Peter Luukko said in an e-mail response delivered via publicist Ike Richman. "No one has made us an offer and we're not actively selling the team."

The Globe attributed its information to "a usually well-informed source," and said that "another source indicated many of the current employees believe a sale is on the way, although with confidentiality agreements, these things are often hard to nail down."

Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel reports that despite the public statements indicating that Allen Iverson is off the market, Billy King will continue to look to trade him.

King found trading Iverson difficult when most of the NBA attempted to give the Sixers a bargain offer.

Comcast Spectacor, owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, are attempting to sell the club, according to a well-informed source.

Many employees believe that a sale is on is imminent.

Gary Moore, Allen Iverson's manager, confirmed that Billy King flew to Atlanta on Tuesday and with Iverson for roughly 2 ? hours in a hospitality suite in an area hotel.

"We have never been more excited,'' Moore said last night. "We couldn't be more excited. Allen is very excited to be part of the team, and is looking forward to training camp.

"Allen wasn't as surprised as he was relieved. He always wanted to be in Philadelphia, but he felt he had deserved better as far as communication.''

Moore termed the meeting "long overdue.''

Said Leon Rose, Iverson's agent: "He's happy, excited and can focus on the task at hand. I'm not surprised. I said I didn't think he'd be traded. That was my gut.''

John Salmons chose an interesting way to explain why he decided to ultimately walk away from a verbal agreement with the Toronto Raptors.

"Originally, I felt like I had to make a decision," Salmons said. "But I didn't really feel [Toronto] was where God was leading me..."It was hard to tell [Bell], but I had to," he said. "It took all the courage in the world. I had faith something good would happen, but I'm human like anyone else; I was still nervous. I tried not to worry. Joel was pulling out his hair. Then a couple days later, he told me Sacramento had called... I slept on it. It felt right."

This was going to be the summer Allen Iverson's days in Philadelphia would come to an end.  On Tuesday, Billy King said that the Iverson era will continue, as he confirmed that there will be no more discussed deals involving the All-Star.

"Allen and I have talked about it, and he wants to be here and is excited to be playing for us."

King said he is "still working the phones, talking to people [about prospective deals]."

"We're trying to do what's best to make us a better ballclub," he said. "That's not including Allen in our discussions."

Sixers GM Billy King has ruled out the possibility of guard John Salmons returning to the team.

Philadelphia rescinded their qualifying offer to Salmons after he agreed to terms with the Toronto Raptors.  Salmons later backed out of the agreement after deciding that the Raptors were not a good fit for him.

When asked about the possibility of Salmons returning to the Sixers, King said, "Not at this time."

"There is nothing really to say," King said. "The ball is in Johnny's court on what he will do in regards to his career, and that is where we are."

Hawks forward Marvin Williams has been named Most Valuable Player of the Rocky Mountain Revue, after averaging a Revue-best 23.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.2 apg and 0.6 spg in 31.8 mpg (.549 FG%, 2-2 3FGs, .879 FT%), playing in five of the six games.

The rest of the all-tournament team consists of Utah's Ronnie Brewer and Paul Millsap, Philadelphia's Steven Smith and Louis Williams and Seattle's Andre Emmett.

John Salmons has decided against joining the Toronto Raptors.

According to the Toronto Star, Salmons has backed out of a 5-year, $23 million sign and trade deal that would sent Salmons to the Raptors for a second round draft pick in 2007.

"Upon reviewing the basketball situation in Toronto, John decided it's not the best fit for him," said a statement released Friday from Salmons' agent, Joel Bell.

"In a very stressful and tough decision, he decided he could not accept the opportunity to play for the Raptors, even though he was excited about the prospect of being in Toronto."

Salmons previously had to make a decision as to whether he wanted to join the Raptors or the Phoenix Suns, but the Suns offer is now off the table after the team signed guard Marcus Banks to a deal similar to that rejected by Salmons.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out, I wish him the best," Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said last night.

Philadelphia have also rescinded their qualifying offer to Salmons, making the guard an unrestricted free agent.

All that supposedly stood in the way of the John Salmons trade to Toronto was for Andre Barrett to clear waivers.  Barrett cleared waivers at 6:00 PM on Thursday, but none of the parties could confirm that the trade was complete.

"At this time, there is no trade to announce," wrote Billy King in an email.

Joel Bell, agent for Salmons could not be reached.

Word around the NBA on Thursday was that serious snags had developed in the transaction with the 76ers.

It's unclear whether Salmons, a free agent, had second thoughts about joining the Raptors for a five-year, $23 million (all figures U.S.) contract or whether Toronto is working on a larger trade and needed the salary cap room or roster spot.

Bryan Colangelo reportedly is juggling multiple trades.