Los Angeles Lakers trade news update: Metta World Peace returns to Hollywood
If rumors are true, Metta World Peace may be making a successful return to the Los Angeles Lakers.
One of the most popular players in the modern era, World Peace may play one more year as he revealed that he signed one more year with the Hollywood franchise.
Formerly known as Ron Artest, World Peace featured for the Lakers last year and played 35 games. In that time, he played a small part in the team, averaging around 13 minutes per night to score around 4.8 points per game.
This is his second stint with the Lakers as he already spent time in Hollywood from 2009 to 2014. He played one season with the New York Knicks before playing overseas in the 2014-15 season and then made a return to professional basketball with the Lakers.
Close to 37 years old, World Peace has done almost everything there is in the game, and he still is looking forward to making a contribution to the Lakers.
He knows that he will not play a major part in the team but World Peace admitted he is ready to help the young stars.
"I'm excited about everything. I'm prepared to help the young guys grow. To play, everything," he said to ESPN.
The Lakers are going to be without Kobe Bryant for the first time in a long time because the Black Mamba recently retired. However, having World Peace is very helpful since there will be a veteran who can help out the young squad.
Furthermore, World Peace is a great defender who plays multiple positions. With the Lakers having young forwards like Julius Randle and rookie Brandon Ingram, World Peace can help them gain even more strength and learn in-game smarts that should help them against their opponents.
It is going to be interesting to see what World Peace will offer in the coming year.