Allen Iverson told Sixers president Billy King the one thing he wanted to hear at their season-end meeting: The Answer wants to stay a Sixer.

"He said he wants to be a part of it," King said yesterday. "He's been here when it was bad, when it was good, to now when we're not in the playoffs. He says he loves it and doesn't expect to see himself ever playing for another team."

Iverson, a five-time All-Star, continues to be the subject of trade speculation in Philadelphia. Before this season, he signed an extension that lasts through 2008-09, but after another year in which he seemingly didn't get along with the coach, it could be time for a change.

Iverson's thoughts? Who knows? While he's maintained all along he never wanted to be traded, Iverson hasn't talked to reporters for almost a month while he's been out with a knee injury. He's rarely been seen before games and does not sit on the bench during games.

Iverson, along with all but two of his teammates, was in attendance for the team's end-of-year meeting but left without talking to the media.  Reports indicate that he did talk to his teammates about the disappointment of missing the playoffs.  Iverson has had several run ins with interim coach Chris Ford this season just as he had with old coach Larry Brown, but stressed that he did want to remain in Philadelphia and he could play for any coach -- Ford included.

"He said, `Billy, I can play for anybody,' " King said.

Ford said he would like to remain in the organization and the players have publicly offered their support for his return. He's earned respect by enforcing team rules and not letting problems fester.

"It's been great. He just wants you to come out and compete and play hard," guard Eric Snow said.

Before King makes any roster moves, he wants to hire a coach. While he will consider Ford, it's likely that the Sixers will have their fourth coach in three years. King said yesterday there was no timetable for a decision, but the process has already started and won't take that long.

"This year's been a disappointing season for all of us," King said. "I thanked a lot of them for the fact that we finished the season with a chance to make the playoffs. I think our guys came to play and compete and that's all you can ask for when things aren't going in your favor."