Tom Moore of Phillyburbs.com reports that Sixers GM Billy King expects changes in the offseason. The Sixers need to address a lack of athleticism in the frontcourt and a lack of reliable shooting. The salary cap will be a big factor in determining what kind of moves are made.

The Sixers have Derrick Coleman and Matt Geiger's contracts coming off their cap after the 02-03 season. This additional room could allow Philly to dive into the free agent market. With players like Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Elton Brand, Antonio McDyess, Baron Davis, Rasheed Wallace and Lamar Odom likely to be free agents at that time, it is definitely an attractive proposal.

But should they trade for the best players available and not worry about their contract status? Or should they try to make a major deal that'd bring a player with only one or two years on his contract?

"There's probably a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C," said King. "You talk to people, and the plan tends to develop. If you're going for cap room, you've still got to put a team out there. We're not in a position where we're going to rebuild. There's no guarantee if you get cap room, you're going to get the player you want."

King said, "The whole premise is, can you get 'em? If you can't, then you're sitting there with a whole lot of cap room and you decimated your team. You're like, 'Now where do we go?'"

With Dikembe Mutombo having three years and almost $50 million remaining on his contract, he is a prime candidate to be traded. With the Western teams looking for a way to combat Shaquille O'neal, a trade for Mutombo could be a possibility.

When asked if any Western teams are calling to discuss Mutombo, King smiled and said, "Good try. I would never answer that." King did say that the Sixers have to improve their slow power forward/center combo of Coleman and Mutombo. "We're trying to get more athletic - that's the main thing," he said.

As for the Sixers' need for a shooter, King explained that they're "always looking for a shooter who fits the way we play. He's got to be able to do more than just shoot the basketball."