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.''