Now that Metta World Peace has cleared through the amnesty waiver process, he's free to sign with whichever team his heart desires. And it's looking like the New York Knicks are his preferred destination, as he's scheduled to meet with team executives in Las Vegas in the next few days, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
NBA free agency news roundup: Knicks frontrunner for Metta World Peace, Brandon Jennings not happy
Metta World Peace will meet with Knicks executives in Las Vegas, making them the frontrunner for the small forward’s services. Meanwhile, Brandon Jennings may want out of Milwaukee and the Wolves are still trying to ink Nikola Pekovic to a new deal.
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The Knicks are reportedly the “strong frontrunner” for World Peace, with a deal likely being for about $1.6 million. A possible deal could include a second year with a player option.
After World Peace was amnestied by the Lakers last week, he claimed that he had little intention of playing in the NBA next season, mentioning interest in China and arena football. But despite this and some reservations about even playing in New York, he and the Knicks seem like a good fit.
World Peace grew up in New York and went to college at St. John's, so he's very familiar with the area. The Knicks could also use the small forward's prowess on the defensive end against players like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
World Peace has also been linked to the Los Angeles Clippers, and he told Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times on Sunday that he's interested. However, there's currently no meeting set up between the two parties.
Jennings unhappy in Milwaukee
At the outset of free agency, it appeared that Brandon Jennings wanted to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Bucks supposedly wanted him back. But things have changed, and Jennings is "not a happy camper," according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.
The Bucks recently made a strong play for Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague in restricted free agency, offering Teague a four-year offer sheet worth about $32 million. The Hawks matched the offer, retaining Teague and leaving Jennings free to possibly return to Milwaukee either on a multi-year deal or a one-year qualifying offer.
But Jennings might not want to go back considering how hard the Bucks courted Teague, and Woelfel believes a sign-and-trade of the young point guard is “inevitable.” SB Nation’s Bucks blog Brew Hoop still believes that Jennings will end up back in Milwaukee, but that the situation will be somewhat awkward for all involved.
‘Status quo’ on Pekovic front
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been working toward an agreement with restricted free-agent center Nikola Pekovic, but negotiations are currently in a "status quo," according to Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune.
The Wolves recently offered Pekovic a four-year deal worth about $50 million, but it appears that the center is holding out for a bit more money. However, there aren’t really any other teams who can make Pekovic a better offer, so there’s not much reason for Minnesota to budge unless the big man seriously threatens to take the one-year qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
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