NBA notes: Iverson may be headed to 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers are considering bringing back Allen Iverson, according to a source close to the situation.

If this deal happens, it could be completed early this week.

Since trading Iverson — the top pick in the 1996 NBA draft and a 10-time all-star — to the Denver Nuggets in December 2006, the Sixers emphatically have denied having any desire to reconnect with their former franchise point guard.

According to the source, that has changed.

The Sixers are 5-11, and on Thursday starting point guard Lou Williams had his jaw wired shut, an injury that will sideline him for eight weeks. Williams' broken jaw was the catalyst that led the Sixers to consider a reunion with Iverson, who spent the first 10-plus seasons of his career with the team.

Earlier this month, Iverson, 34, parted ways with the Memphis Grizzlies after playing only three games with the team. After his trade by the Sixers, Iverson played parts of three seasons for the Nuggets and half a season with the Detroit Pistons.

On Thursday, the NBA's 2001 MVP announced his retirement, although his name continued to swirl around NBA teams and he publicly said he thought he had plenty of game left.

Iverson had signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Memphis, and it's believed the Sixers would need less than that — maybe as little as $2 million — to sign the guard for the remainder of the season.

"He's loved in Philly," Charlotte's Larry Brown, who coached Iverson with the Sixers, told the AP on Saturday night before the Bobcats' game in Washington. "He did a phenomenal job for that franchise."

BARNES FINED: Orlando forward Matt Barnes says he'll appeal a $20,000 fine for throwing a basketball into the stands, and coach Stan Van Gundy joked he had a novel idea for Barnes the next time he needs to vent his frustration.

"I think that's a little much," Barnes said before the Magic took on the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. "I completely understand the fine, but $20,000 is ridiculous, so we'll see."

The Heat's Michael Beasley soared over Barnes to grab an offensive rebound and dunk the ball for the winning points with 1.6 seconds left in Miami's 99-98 win Wednesday. The Magic protested that it was goaltending, and Barnes threw the ball into the stands after the game.

"I didn't even know he did it," said Van Gundy, who was told of the fine around the time the NBA announced it Saturday.

Van Gundy was leery of discussing whether he thought the fine was excessive, noting he's already been slapped for $35,000 this year in the preseason for his criticism of replacement referees.

"I lost $35,000 earlier and if I'm going to lose more money, it's not going to be on that," Van Gundy said. "It was just frustration that Beasley got behind him and put the ball in the basket and we lost a tough game.

"Again, I didn't even see him throw it. I don't think it was any complaint with officials, it's simply just they have said, if the ball goes into the stands, you're getting fined. I think that part of it is a good rule, whatever the number is, they decide."

Van Gundy joked Barnes should consider throwing cash into the stands instead of a ball next time.

"That's basically what he did," the coach said. "At least if you did that, it'd be the same amount of money, and you'd be very popular. If he threw $20,000 in cash, he'd be very popular."

Barnes, in his seventh year and with his seventh team, is averaging 6.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in 16 games with the Magic this season.