Metta World Peace signs with Knicks after being released by Lakers

“I need something that’s tough right now, and I want to win where it’s hardest to win there, and that’s home,” World Peace said, sounding like so many other young people who head to New York City full of excitement and blind ambition.

For World Peace, heading back to his hometown is all about possible glory, that glimmering sliver of hope that he could bring championship basketball back to the sport’s mecca, Madison Square Garden. On a Knicks team hanging on the fringe on title contention, he knows there’s nothing more important than getting wins.

LAS VEGAS -- Metta World Peace is thrilled to play for the NBA team closest to his hometown of Queensbridge when he was growing up. In that sentence, “team” is the operative word. The idea of playing for this specific Knicks squad appealed to World Peace, not playing in his home city.

“I don’t think I’m a missing piece,” he said. “I’m more honored to be playing with these players. That’s what I really think.”

The new Knicks’ forward initially denied the report.

However, the signing was eventually confirmed, with World Peace announcing it on the MSG broadcast of the Knicks’ Summer League game against the Bobcats.

World Peace was waived by the Lakers earlier this week under the league’s contract amnesty clause. If he is not claimed by another team during the two-day amnesty waiver period, he would become a free agent. World Peace’s recent comments -- that he might retire, play arena football, or play in China rather than report to a team that claimed him -- are clearly meant to warn any non-contending team against picking him off waivers.

Metta World Peace made 66 starts for the Lakers in 2012-13, averaging 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. It was a surprising return to form for the veteran, who had not averaged more than 10 points per contest since 2008-09.