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It’s always bad to see one of the great athletes go through tough personal and/or financial troubles. Allen Iverson is currently experiencing hardship in both areas, as the former basketball star is struggling to get back into the NBA. According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Iverson has refused to join the NBA Development League team the L.A. D-Fenders. The team is affiliated with the Los Angeles Lakers, who could have eventually called Iverson up to the NBA if he showed progress. Iverson however, was too prideful to go the D-League route.

A.I is currently in negotiations with Venezuelan team Guaros  de Lara. “We are waiting for his reply at our offer. We have a contact in New York who is negotiating with his agent. There are big chance for us to sign Allen Iverson. We are in advanced negotiations” the team’s manager Terrance Morris told Sportando. The Puerto Rican team Indios de Mayaguez also has interest in Iverson, but it sounds like his deal with the Venezuelan team is 80 percent completed.

A.I. has struggled to regain his elite form since he was traded to a very crowded Detroit Pistons team in 2008, where his scoring average fell nearly ten points. The following season he found himself without a team and very little league-wide interest in his services. An eventual return to Philly seemed like the resurrection that A.I. needed, as he re-joined the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2009-2010 season. Sadly, Iverson only managed to play in 25 total games before personal troubles and injuries ended his season.

The former number one overall draft pick is currently caught in a jewelry case in which he’s been ordered to pay close to one million dollars in an old debt to Aydin & Company Jewelers. The case hasn’t been resolved yet as the judge has ordered that wages be garnished from A.I.’s checking account. Hopefully this story finds a way to end positively for the former NBA star, as you never want to see a player that’s given his all to the game of basketball endure such a tragic situation.