Sixers reportedly interested in Iverson

It appears that the Philadelphia 76ers are re-thinking their stance about bringing back franchise icon Allen Iverson.

After first reporting Iverson's intention to retire earlier this week, longtime Iverson confidant Stephen A. Smith reported early Saturday that the Sixers, according to team sources, were giving deep consideration to making Iverson an offer.

"It's being seriously considered," one team official told Smith in an article for FoxSports.com.

A team official told ESPN.com on Friday that the Sixers did not intend to pursue Iverson in the wake of a broken jaw that has sidelined starting guard Lou Williams for eight weeks, preferring to give Williams' minutes to rookie Jrue Holiday.

According to Smith's latest report, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan is one of several key figures in the organization who supports Iverson's return.

Smith quoted the unnamed team official as saying: "We know the history. We know the ups and downs. But we're also aware of what [Iverson] can do and that he's needed here. We simply can't just ignore the upside he'd bring. Not with our situation."

If the Sixers decide to go ahead with an offer nearly three years after trading Iverson to Denver in December 2006, it's believed that their interest would be based as much on the buzz such a move could generate as any potential on-court boost.