Iverson, who has played 14 seasons in the NBA, thought he was close to signing with the New York Knicks last week only to be told team officials had a change of heart.

More From Marc J. SpearsVan Gundy's light touch lifts Magic Nov 21, 2009 Garnett still feels pain of lost season Nov 20, 2009 “Wonderful career. Right thing to do for his family,” said Gary Moore, Iverson’s manager. “It’s no secret that Allen has been unfairly treated through all this. The fact is his family needs him more.”

Moore said Iverson plans to formally announce his retirement soon. The question: Will he stay retired?

League sources insist Iverson, at least for now, will still listen if a team is interested in signing him.

Iverson signed a one-year, $3 million contract to play for the Memphis Grizzlies this season, but played just three games and complained about his role off the bench. The Grizzlies granted him a leave of absence to attend to some personal matters, but two sides eventually reached agreement to part ways and Iverson was waived.

Moore said Iverson is proceeding as if he won’t play again. Iverson had his greatest success in Philadelphia, where he took the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 2001 and was named MVP.

“The years in Philly were unforgettable,” Moore said. “He will never forget the crowd. …He’ll retire always being known as a Sixer.”

martin wrote:I wanna know how his family is being unfairly treated in this whole process.... especially after enduring the millions a year in salary their breadwinner has brought home over the past 14 years.

you mis-read it.

Swishfm3 wrote:

martin wrote:I wanna know how his family is being unfairly treated in this whole process.... especially after enduring the millions a year in salary their breadwinner has brought home over the past 14 years.

you mis-read it.

tell me how.

with how walsh and d'antoni have handled two drafts and this iverson thing how can anyone possibly have any faith in the summer of 2010? how? a point-guard driven system and you pass on brandon jennings, ty lawson, jason williams, ramon sessions, allen iverson (and lots of others) and decide to ride with chris duhon? really? really?