LA Lakers Rumors: Metta World Peace to Make a Comeback?
Rumors have emerged Metta World Peace may make a career comeback by signing on with the LA Lakers.
After the New York Knicks passed over Metta World Peace during the 2013-14 NBA season, the small forward became a free agent and subsequently played for Italy and China, but it appears he may be signing on with the Lakers this coming season.
The professional basketball player formerly known as Ron Artest was seen at the Lakers' practice venue over the summer and it is reported a deal is in the offing between his representatives and the Los Angeles team.
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World Peace formerly played for the Lakers from 2008 to 2013, and was instrumental in their victory against the Boston Celtics during the 2010 NBA championships. During his four seasons with the team, he averaged 9.9 points with 4.0 rebounds per game, while scoring at 34 percent on all of his three-point shots.
Currently, the Lakers' roster has a heavy guard position but is very thinly constructed at small forward and they are said to be considering bringing World Peace on board for a one-year contract.
While no information has yet been released as to whether an agreement has been reached, World Peace's representatives are reportedly in talks with the Lakers organization spurred on by the team's shooting guard, Kobe Bryant, who is said to be enthusiastic about bringing World Peace back.
Despite the 35-year-old player's poor showing during the 2013-14 Season, causing the Knicks to cut him off, his return to the Lakers may give him a second chance at redeeming his career for the 2015-2016 NBA Season.
World Peace, who legally changed his name in September 2011 while still with the Lakers, has earned a reputation as one of the more powerful defenders in basketball after winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004 while he was still playing for the Indiana Pacers, the same year he was named NBA All-Star and took the All-NBA honors.
