76ers in no rush to trade Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson began another day with the Philadelphia 76ers. Unable to swing the right deal for the seven-time All-Star, team president Billy King appeared in no hurry to rush a trade Tuesday.

While it seemed likely Iverson would be gone by now after chairman Ed Snider said last week they were seeking to trade him, the search went on for a new home for the point guard and his 31.2 points per game.

Iverson was to be inactive again for Philadelphia's game against Boston on Wednesday night, his fourth straight game on the list.

The Sixers have grown weary of the daily Iverson interrogations, and insisted after Tuesday's practice the only thing they cared about was ending their longest losing streak in nine years.

"I don't really let (rumors) affect me," Sixers center Samuel Dalembert said. "I've been hearing it for six years, on and off. This time, I think it's a little bit more serious, but other than that, we've got to play through it."

The Sixers aren't the only ones dealing with the swirling speculation. Almost every team has been linked in some sort of trade rumor, most of them unfounded, though some appear to be dropping out of contention faster than the Sixers in the Eastern Conference.

Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof both said the club wasn't interested Tuesday, apparently removing Sacramento from the mix. And Charlotte could be involved in a possible multi-team trade, though it's unlikely the Bobcats will end up with Iverson. Even some in Minnesota suddenly seem cautious about taking on "The Answer."

"As things are going well, people are apprehensive to change what got us there," Timberwolves assistant coach Rex Kalamian said.

While a few players, like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, said they would openly welcome Iverson on their team, others are more on edge, realizing they could be part of a swap.

"Whatever happens with the Sixers is the Sixers," said rookie guard Randy Foye, a trade option for his potential and for his Philadelphia connection after a college career at Villanova. "He's a great player, but you can't let things like that distract you. You just have to keep on playing."

For all the scoring he brought to the Sixers, not even Iverson could make a difference for a franchise sliding toward another draft lottery. The Sixers were stuck in last place when he was placed on in the inactive list Friday, and they're still there after Monday's loss to Portland.

The Sixers take an eight-game losing streak into Wednesday night's game against Boston, their worst skid since April 1997. The Sixers (5-15) have lost 15 of 17 and are tied with Charlotte for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Never mind the trade rumors. Nothing is taking a toll on the Sixers quite like the losing. Coach Maurice Cheeks said he's preaching to the Sixers how much he still believes in them.

Perhaps he should raise his voice.

"The last couple of games that we've had, we've had very good games although the outcome hasn't been what we've wanted," he said. "The effort has been very strong. Our play on the defensive end has been strong, passing the ball and utilizing the talents that we have. The guys believe that it's going to turn around. It is going to turn around."

The Sixers, though, play seven of their next 10 on the road where they are a conference-worst 2-10. Maybe they'll run into their ol' pal Iverson. Three of those road games are against Boston, Golden State and Sacramento, three of the most heavily rumored Iverson destinations.

While the Sixers desperately need salary cap relief and/or draft picks in any trade, guard Andre Iguodala wanted some talented players (like Shaun Livingston? Baron Davis?) coming back to Philadelphia.

"I definitely just want to see some guys come in who work hard and love the game and enjoy playing it and just want to come in and help us get better," Iguodala said.

Iverson could surely help another team, maybe one like Sacramento where he can commiserate with his fellow eccentric star, Ron Artest. Artest spent seven weeks out of action last season after asking Indiana to trade him, so he empathizes with Iverson's situation.

Artest thinks Iverson needs to get back on the court.

"Just go out and play the game," Artest said Tuesday night before the Kings faced the Golden State Warriors. "In my case, I wanted to be traded, but at the same time, I wanted to play, and play to win."

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AP Sports Writers Greg Beacham in Oakland, Calif., and Dave Campbell in Minneapolis contributed to this story.