Report: Lakers Entertaining Metta World Peace Return

Who doesn’t remember Metta World Peace‘s (then Ron Artest) classic post game interview after the epic 2010 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics Finals?

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The interview was an instant classic, and World Peace will go down as a true Laker Legend.

Could the Lakers be in line for more fantastic interviews like that?

The Lakers have had discussions with World Peace’s representatives about re-joining the Lakers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.

This would mark yet another move this summer where the Lakers bring in an older veteran to help shape the younger players on the team.

Earlier this summer, World Peace went on record that he trained with Julius Randle. He even compared Randle to LeBron James in terms of his physicality and strength going to the rim in a recent interview with ESPN’s Max and Marcellus.

So what kind of effect would “The Panda Friend” have on the Lakers roster as it currently stands?

It would mean yet another roster spot for a forward with the Lakers quickly moving from “log jam” to “lumber yard.” The Lakers are already expected to use Kobe Bryant more at small forward this season.

Nick Young mostly plays small forward these days. That’s not even mentioning rookie Anthony Brown who was given a three-year deal early this summer.

The Lakers already have an explosive rookie in Randle at the other forward position. Brandon Bass, Larry Nance Jr. and Jonathan Holmes (non-guaranteed) are also all under contract next season.

Oct 11, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Metta World Peace (51) goes to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Landry Fields (2) tries to defend at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Knicks 100-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

That’s not even mentioning Tarik Black, who can play both power forward and center.

The Lakers are short on taller bodies and proven pass-first point guards, but they seem to be stock piling forwards anyways.

It’s unclear exactly how much World Peace still has left in the tank. He didn’t play in the NBA last season and last played with the New York Knicks during the 2013-2014 season.

His effectiveness had already begun to slip as a Laker, and that was before World Peace was amnestied from the team following the Lakers’ disastrous 2012-2013 season in what was supposed to be a championship team featuring Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol.

World Peace has had some injury problems to go along with declining physical ability, and his statistical output has shown a steep decline since the 2010-2011 season in which he started all 82 games for the Lakers.

However, the move would be solid for a team that could really use as much veteran leadership as possible, and he’s already familiar with Randle.

There’s certainly a lot that World Peace can impart on the youngster especially considering he was one of the premiere perimeter defenders for over a decade in the NBA.

That being said, a contract has yet to be signed.

His potential role on the team is simply unclear, but for 10-15 minutes a night World Peace can turn a game around with his bulldog intensity, strength and fire.

He will still make his usual mistakes, but a team can never have too much championship level leadership seeing as how the Lakers expect to have four rotation players under 24 years of age.

Who wouldn’t love the idea of Kobe finishing his career with one of his favorite warrior teammates?

Next: Lakers Panel: Our Favorite Kobe Bryant Moments

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