Nov. 20 (Bloomberg) -- The New York Knicks passed on signing four-time scoring champion Allen Iverson, who became a free agent after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Knicks General Manager Donnie Walsh said today at the team’s training center that New York won’t be making any additions to its roster at this time, Knicks spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz confirmed in an e-mail.

“It really has nothing to with Allen Iverson,” Walsh told reporters, according to the New York Times. “It’s just a stage that our team is in right now: what we’ve been trying to do since we got here in building a team for the future.”

The Knicks originally showed interest in signing the 14- year National Basketball Association veteran after getting off to a 1-9 start this season. They are now 2-9 for the second time in three seasons, and play next tomorrow at the New Jersey Nets, who are 0-12.

Iverson joined Memphis as a free agent after playing most of last season for the Detroit Pistons. He made three appearances off the bench for the Grizzlies, averaging 12.3 points per game, before taking a leave of absence on Nov. 7 for personal matters. He was placed on waivers Nov. 16, which he cleared yesterday without being picked up by a team.

The signing of 34-year-old Iverson, an All-Star each of the past 10 seasons, may have provided a short-term spark for the Knicks without affecting the team’s plans for next summer. New York has been focused on clearing salary-cap space for 2010, when players such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Dirk Nowitzki become free agents.

No. 1 Pick

Iverson began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers after becoming the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft. He played into his 11th season with Philadelphia before being traded to the Denver Nuggets early in the 2006-07 campaign. He was sent to the Pistons early last season and averaged 17.4 points and 4.9 assists in 54 games.

Iverson expressed dissatisfaction with coming off the bench for the Grizzlies. In New York, he would have competed for playing time and shot opportunities with backcourt members including Nate Robinson, Larry Hughes, Toney Douglas and Chris Duhon.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mason Levinson in New York at mlevinson@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 20, 2009 13:53 EST