Philadelphia reportedly offers Allen Iverson one-year, non-guaranteed contract

PHILADELPHIA — Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers are closer to a reunion.

According to a source close to the negotiations, the 76ers offered Iverson a non-guaranteed contract for this season.

The deal is on the table; only he has the answer.

According to that same source, the Sixers are awaiting a response from Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, and expect that answer today.

Tuesday in Philadelphia, Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski met with Rose, formally laying out the offer: a pro-rated amount of the $1.3 minimum veteran's minimum, roughly $600,000 to $650,000, which will become guaranteed for the remainder of the season if Iverson remains on the roster Jan. 10.

Before then, the Sixers can cut Iverson, who played 10-plus seasons for the organization before being traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2006, without financial ramifications.

Offering a non-guaranteed contract is not entirely about money, said the source. It's also about gauging Iverson's desire and adaptability.

If Iverson's camp rejects the offer, according to this source, there is no other offer forthcoming: It's non-guaranteed or nothing.

Explained the source: "This would be something he would have to acquiesce to, and maybe show some good faith. You could say he's at a desperate point in his basketball life."

"What is the downside if you can cut him any time you want?" the person said.

Iverson would still need to undergo a physical before the deal is complete.

Notes

• Zydrunas Ilgauskas never got off the bench during his first attempt at history. Given another chance, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown assured it will happen.

Ilgauskas will become Cleveland's all-time leader in games played when he enters tonight's game at home against Phoenix. He currently shares the record of 723 games with Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry.

Ilgauskas was expected to break the record at home Saturday, but Brown didn't play him.

• Brandon Roy, a former Garfield High and UW standout, scored 25 points on 9-of-25 shooting for Portland, which suffered a 107-100 home loss to Miami.

• Danilo Gallinari had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and the New York Knicks beat the Phoenix Suns 126-99, snapping a five-game losing streak.

• Ray Allen broke out of his shooting slump with 27 points, Kendrick Perkins had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Boston cruised past Charlotte for a 108-90 victory, its fifth in a row.

• The New Jersey Nets announced that 51-year-old Kiki Vandeweghe, their general manager, will take over coaching duties for the rest of the season. His tenure officially starts Thursday.

• Minnesota forward Kevin Love has started contact drills in practice as he continues rehabilitation for a broken left hand. Love was injured in the preseason and has not played at all this season.

• Jefferson (Texas) County prosecutors are dropping a theft charge against the former fiancee of Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki because of potentially high trial costs. Crista Ann Taylor is currently serving a five-year sentence in a Missouri prison for violating probation on a forgery case.