The more Billy King talked, the more it appeared that forward Kenny Thomas will be remaining with the 76ers.

King, the Sixers' president/general manager, said he expected "to have at least one signed" when teams are permitted to begin signing free agents on Wednesday.

One from elsewhere in the NBA or one of the Sixers' free agents?

"I expect to have one of ours signed by next Wednesday," King said. "It's progressing nicely. It looks good."

That would indicate that the Sixers are closer to re-signing Thomas, the 6-7 forward who is a restricted free agent, meaning that the Sixers could match any other offer Thomas might receive.

Marc McNeil, Thomas' agent, has not responded to numerous messages left by the Daily News over the last few weeks.

King also has been speaking with the agents for Sixers unrestricted free agents Derrick Coleman, Brian Skinner and Tyrone Hill. An unsubstantiated rumor has the Sixers offering a 2-year contract to Coleman. Hill was a visitor yesterday at the team's workouts for rookies, free agents and selected veterans, and said he was interested in continuing to play.