"We're going to trade him," Sixers chairman Ed Snider said Friday night. "At a certain point, you have to come to grips with the fact that it's not working. He wants out and we're ready to accommodate him."

    Snider said Iverson has "probably" played his last game with the Sixers. "I think it's time for him to move on, for us to move on and find out where everything stands. I really didn't see it coming because Allen says all the right things."

    Iverson didn't play in Philadelphia's 113-98 loss to Washington on Friday night. Team president Billy King said the move was not a suspension and Iverson's future would be re-evaluated after Saturday night's game at Orlando.

    King and coach Maurice Cheeks said Iverson was sent home because he did not practice on Thursday and left Wednesday's blowout loss at Chicago with back spasms.

    "Allen was not able to practice yesterday because of the back and today Mo made a decision not to play him tonight or tomorrow," King said. "We told him to just take the night off and tomorrow."

    Iverson released a statement through agent Leon Rose stating that he told the Sixers he was healthy enough to play. He said he was told not to participate in a shoot around and instead watched from the sideline. He joined the Sixers in the huddle, then was told by Cheeks not to come to the Wachovia Center.

    "In my entire career, even the doctors haven't been able to tell me not to play," Iverson said. "I've played through injury and illness. I think everyone knows how much I love being out on the court, competing and winning. That's why it was so disheartening to be told that I couldn't play, knowing that I was ready. It hurt even more to be told not to come at all."

    Iverson, who leads the league with 31.7 points per game, left Wednesday night's 121-94 loss at Chicago in the second half, complaining of the spasms. The Sixers are 5-13 and have lost six straight and 13 of 15 overall

    "This season has been very frustrating for everyone," Iverson said. "We've lost 12 of 14 games and nothing seems to be working. I have expressed my frustration to my teammates; however, I have continued to give 100 percent night in and night out. Apparently, it hasn't been enough to help our team win.

    "As hard as it is to admit, a change may be the best thing for everyone," Iverson added. "I hate admitting that because I love the guys on the team and the city of Philadelphia. I truly wanted to retire a 76er."

    Iverson was the No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft and is a seven-time All-Star. He has won four scoring titles, two All-Star game MVPs and the MVP award in 2001 after taking the Sixers to the NBA finals.

    "I appreciate that in my 11 years in Philadelphia, the fans have always stood by me, supported me, and gone to bat for me," Iverson said.

    (Agencies)