Memphis Guard Allen Iverson was granted an indefinite leave of absence by the team after just three games after complaining about his lack of playing time coming off the bench for the first time in his 14-year career, and there is tons of speculation around the league that this could be it for him with the Grizzlies.

AI was averaging just over 12 points per game in the first three games he played, but I find it hard to believe Memphis would let him walk since they owe him $3.5 million this season, and they sure as hell can’t afford him for a million per game played. Trading him would be difficult at this point because any contender willing to take a chance on him would likely have him come off the bench barring injury, and Iverson couldn’t control himself on a contending Pistons team last season.

“I’m not going to get into the personal reason but it has nothing to do with the other stuff,” team owner Michael Heisley told the Memphis Commercial Appeal,“I’m the guy who said he could go. It’s a real family issue that I don’t think should be reported.” That being said, Heisley said that there are definitely some things to address with Iverson when he comes back, if he ever does. “There’s no question that when he comes back we have to work some things out,” Heisley said. “He’s got a lot of work to do, but we’ve all got to get on the same page. He understands what the conditions are. And we need to be less hyper about this along with Allen.”

But one GM told ESPN’s Chad Ford that the Grizzlies and Iverson agreed to part ways, which would be a PR nightmare for the Grizzlies team that acquired AI and Zach Randolph to create a little Beale Street buzz. But at this point, the only thing being seen in this Iverson situation is a strong case of Beale Street backfire.

“I can’t imagine anyone wanting him at this point,” one GM told Ford. “Struggling teams now know he’s going to be a distraction. Contending teams have to live with the fact that Iverson puts himself above the team. Even the Clippers backed away from him this summer and Donald Sterling will do anything to sell tickets. I’m still not sure what the Grizzlies were thinking.”

It could be the end of the line for Iverson if he can’t even last in Memphis, in which case it would be a very sour ending to an extremely great career. It may be the final Answer, but let’s hope it’s not for the legacy of one great player.