According to the sports news earlier this day, Allen Iverson met with Memphis Grizzlies officials on Monday in Atlanta, but has not yet agreed to accept the team’s one-year $3.5 million offer after speaking with owner Michael Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and coach Lionel Hollins. Iverson and the Grizzlies have been dancing around each other for a few weeks, and it still appears likely that the 34-year-old guard will wind up there after trying all summer to find a new home. Memphis can give him the playing time he craves, and he can help generate interest in a young, rebuilding team that has increased its talent dramatically this offseason and could benefit from Iverson’s veteran leadership as well as his ability draw fans.
While summer is here, Iverson has been working out in Atlanta with former 76ers teammate and current NBA TV analyst Eric Snow after he and the Detroit Pistons agreed to part company just before the Playoffs. Iverson said he had a back injury that wasn’t getting better, but that coincided with his expressed displeasure at coming off the Pistons’ bench behind starter Richard Hamilton.
On the other hand, Miami and Charlotte have also looked at Iverson, but the Heat seems to have gone in another direction. Charlotte’s interest may be stunted both by negotiations by owner Bob Johnson to sell his controlling interest in the team (a new owner certainly would not want to accept a hefty pricetag for a player like Iverson) and the team’s ongoing discussions with restricted free agent guard Raymond Felton. Felton and the Bobcats are far apart on a new contract and the team can’t go forward on Iverson until it knows one way or another what will happen with Felton.
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