After things didn’t work out with the Detroit Piston last season, Allen Iverson became a free agent and has been sitting on the market for some time now.
Thursday (September 10), the 10-time All-Star officially became a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, signing a one-year contract reportedly worth $3.5 million.
The 34-year-old NBA guard tweeted (@AllenIverson) about the move earlier this week, before the deal was official, indicating that he’d love to play in Tennessee.
“Memphis is a place that I would love to play. The Grizzlies have good young players with a great upside. I love the city of Memphis too,” Iverson wrote.
A.I. later said he could help the young team to reach new heights.
“I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them,” he tweeted.
The Grizzlies weren’t the only team interested in the veteran. According to reports, Miami, New York, Charlotte and the Los Angeles Clippers also showed a level of interest in Iverson joining their roster.
A.I. made $21 million last season in the final year of his contract. With Memphis, he’s taking a big pay cut, but the baller says it’s not about the money.
“I have been blessed to make plenty of money in this league,” Iverson tweeted. “Now it’s not about the money, it’s about playing, me getting back on the court; playing every game like it’s my last!”
Iverson joined the Pistons last season, before becoming a free agent. Prior, he had played with the Philadelphia 76ers for ten years, and then made a switch to the Denver Nuggets.