Free agent forward Metta World Peace has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
World Peace, 35, last played with the New York Knicks before departing to China to play for the Sichuan Blue Whales. His stint with New York lasted just 29 games where he averaged 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds and was ultiamtely waived.
The formerly known Ron Artest spent four seasons with the Lakers, winning an NBA championship in 2010 but auctioning off his championship ring and using the money for donations to charities. He has also had stints with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets.
World Peace had been participating in workouts with the Lakers all summer, eager to make an NBA return with the franchise. He has been primarily working out with one-year man Julius Randle, helping him with his recovery process.
The 15-year veteran’s deal is non-guaranteed, but he is likely to make the team since they are in urgent need of more depth at the small forward position. World Peace may not possess the skillset he once did, but having a veteran presence on the defensive end is exactly what Byron Scott desires for this young team.
For what it’s worth, World Peace averaged 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals last year in China. Of course, those numbers won’t translate into the NBA, but World Peace can still bring defensive tenacity to a Laker team that struggled tremendously on that end of the floor last season.
World Peace will sign his contract tomorrow once he passes a physical and will join the team on Monday for the start of their training camp in Hawaii.
The former Defensive Player of the Year has career averages of 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals.