Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest free agent signings in franchise history

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Staples Center on December 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Greatest Free Agent Signing All Time – Number Four: Ron Artest (Metta World Peace)

Coming off an NBA championship season in 2009, the Lakers signed Ron Artest, who has since changed his name to World Metta Peace. During the 2008-09 season with the Houston Rockets, Artest averaged 17.1 points, along with 5.3 rebounds a game, and hit free agency that summer. The deal with the Lakers was a five-year deal that would pay him $33 million dollars.

Though Artest had the ability to score, he was brought in to provide toughness to the defense, and he did just that. He had a knack of shutting down an opponent’s top scorer any given night and could put the ball in the basket when he needed to.

The biggest moment of Artest’s Laker career was during the 2010 NBA championship versus the rival Boston Celtics. With Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol both struggling during Game 7 of that series, Artest provided just enough offense, and a critical three point shot, that propelled them to another NBA title.

Artest finished that game with 20 points, five rebounds, and five steals. Not to mention the lockdown defense he played on Paul Pierce the whole game. In all, Artest averaged 11.0 points, and 4.3 rebounds during that season. He went on to play three more seasons as a Laker. He returned to the team for another go-round, playing the past two seasons with the Lakers.

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