NBA Notebook | Kings out of running for Iverson

PHILADELPHIA — His locker has been emptied and his image has been excised from the Philadelphia 76ers' pregame highlight video, but Allen Iverson technically remained a Sixer on Tuesday while president and general manager Billy King continued to work on a trade.

King's universe of possible suitors was reduced by one Tuesday. A source said discussions between Sacramento and the Sixers about a possible deal were over and there was no chance the talks would be restarted, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Sources had indicated Monday that the Kings had discussed the parameters of a potential deal with the Sixers for Iverson that centered on guard Mike Bibby. But the discussions apparently never reached a serious stage.

The news of the Kings' withdrawal from the Iverson derby seemed to be a reflection of some grumbling from NBA executives inquiring into the availability of the all-star guard. One front-office type said some calls to his colleagues had led to a conclusion that King's asking price for Iverson was too high.

For the fourth straight day, King was unavailable for comment.

The Denver Nuggets, however, were still at least on the periphery of the talks. A source indicated last night that Denver was willing to part with center Nene as part of a package for Iverson and that George Karl had expressed no problems with coaching Iverson.

The Nuggets would also be willing to deal injured forward Kenyon Martin, but the Sixers have no interest in the surgically susceptible forward. Martin is out for the year following a second microfracture knee surgery in November and still is due $59.75 million after this season.

In Charlotte, Bobcats coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff denied a report in Tuesday's Inquirer that his team had worked out a deal with the Sixers but that Iverson had rejected it. Bickerstaff did not rule out being the third team involved in an Iverson trade scenario.

Owner gives Thomas full year

to improve Knicks

NEW YORK — Isiah Thomas will remain coach of the New York Knicks for the rest of the season and the team must show improvement, owner James Dolan said.

"I think Isiah deserves the whole season to show what he can do," Dolan said in an interview with WFAN in New York. "And my hope is, and I believe, that Isiah will show us, and the team will show us, that they should keep going just the way they are. But if they don't, then we won't."

Dolan didn't specify what criteria he would use in determining Thomas's future after the season.

Notes

• Lakers forward Lamar Odom sprained his right knee against Houston and coach Phil Jackson said he might be out for more than a month. The 6-foot-10 Odom, the Lakers' leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, landed awkwardly after Shane Battier blocked his shot on a drive.

• Dwyane Wade had two wisdom teeth removed, and the Miami guard will miss tonight's game against Phoenix.