Report: Allen Iverson Mulling Retirement

After Allen Iverson received permission from the Grizzlies to take a personal leave of absence on Saturday, it was only natural to wonder if that was the last we would see of him in Memphis. Iverson was clearly unhappy coming off the bench, and his coach, Lionel Hollins, was clearly unhappy with the distraction the situation was creating for his team.

Most thought that if Iverson didn't return to the Grizzlies, then he would surely end up somewhere else. But according to a report in The Commercial Appeal, retirement is something that instead may be on the iconic superstar's mind.

SI.com: Iverson's Return in Question

Allen Iverson is contemplating retirement if he doesn't rejoin the Grizzlies, according to a source with knowledge of the veteran guard's situation.

The stress associated with a family issue plus Iverson's frustration over playing a reserve role might spell the end of his 14-year NBA career, according to the source.

There's no question that Iverson still has some game left, and he could definitely contribute to a team in a reduced role. But obviously, that remains the sticking point.

Would Iverson, at this point in his career, ever be OK with coming off the bench? Or, looking at the bigger picture, could Iverson come to grips with the concept that the team he plays for would now no longer rely solely on him for its success?

Those are questions that only Iverson himself can answer. But based on the way he's reacted to working in a supporting role both in Detroit last year and in his current situation in Memphis, it doesn't seem like a scenario that he's ever going to be willing to embrace.