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Lakers Ink Metta World Peace to One-Year Deal

By Paul Bressler

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After weeks of speculation, the Los Angeles Lakers have finally come to terms with free-agent forward Metta World Peace on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal pending Friday’s physical, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

The addition brings the Lakers roster to 19, one short of the training camp maximum. The team’s camp kicks off in Hawaii on Sept. 28 with two preseason games against the Utah Jazz the following week.

Barring an injury or change an attitude, World Peace is unlikely to lose his spot when the roster is reduced to the 15 player regular season limit.

It would be strange for the organization to sign the 15-year veteran just to cut him two weeks later after flirting for over a month. Nevertheless, it’s left some Lakers fans wondering about the motives of the team and whether they are justified.

Jun 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Former basketball player Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) during the second quarter in game two of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

There are those that are all in on a slow rebuild and feel as though World Peace is a waste of a roster spot that could have otherwise been used for another young player.

Others believe World Peace still has a lot to offer, and it may not necessarily show up in the box score at the end of a game.

Either way, the organization felt comfortable with World Peace working with Julius Randle during his rehab from a broken right leg throughout the off-season. That should give Lakers fans an idea of the amount of respect the front office has for World Peace and how they envision his role for the team.

The Lakers wouldn’t just let anybody work with their prize possession from the 2014 NBA Draft. World Peace has matured and connected with the younger players which can only improve their development. His presence alone may be worth every penny he earns this season.

World Peace, 35, played for the Lakers during the 2009-13 seasons and was instrumental during the team’s 2010 championship run. The front office waived him via the amnesty provision in July 2013.

He last played for the New York Knicks during the 2013-14 season before being waived in February and spent last year playing basketball in China and Italy. World Peace has career averages of 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals.

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