It appears Metta World Peace will be staying in the NBA after all, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports he's agreed to a two-year deal with the New York Knicks. After talking about possibly playing in China or even retiring, the 33-year-old will instead head back to his hometown.
NBA free agency: Metta World Peace signs 2-year deal with Knicks, according to report
Instead of heading thousands of miles away to play in China, Metta World Peace will return to his hometown and join the Knicks.
The new Knicks’ forward initially denied the report.
Metta World Peace text to USAT on whether deal is done with the Knicks: "No. I'm still talking to other people." Don't kill the messenger...
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 15, 2013
However, the signing was eventually confirmed, with World Peace announcing it on the MSG broadcast of the Knicks’ Summer League game against the Bobcats.
Released by the Los Angeles Lakers via the amnesty clause earlier this month, World Peace quickly made it clear he only had interest in a limited number of NBA teams this summer. Topping his list was New York, an understandable desire considering he grew up in the city and went to St. John's.
The Knicks can’t offer up much money, but the pull of playing at Madison Square Garden for a title contender apparently proved too much to resist.
Terms of the deal haven’t been released, but it’s likely World Peace accepted a veteran’s minimum salary, or slightly more, from the Knicks considering the team’s lack of cap flexibility. While he’s certainly more valuable than that, his 2013-14 payday should be significantly larger considering the salary he’ll be receiving from Los Angeles.
Even at his age, World Peace could give the Knicks a nice boost going into next season. Beyond his defensive skill and ability to hit open jumpers, Carmelo Anthony will be able to work more minutes as a power forward, something New York has had great success with.
Last season, World Peace averaged 12.4 points and five rebounds per game, his best numbers in either category since 2009-10.
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