Veteran forward Metta World Peace will be taking his talents to the Chinese Basketball Association for the 2014-15 season, reports Shams Charania of RealGM. The former New York Knick has agreed to a one-year, $1.43 million deal with the Sichuan Blue Whales, making him the highest-paid import in the league next season.
Metta World Peace signs 1-year deal with Chinese team
World Peace is heading to China on a one-year deal for the 2014-15 season.
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
World Peace hit unrestricted free agency this offseason after an up-and-down year with the Knicks. Playing in just 29 games due to injuries and ineffectiveness, he recorded career-low averages across the board, including just 4.8 points and two rebounds per contest.
That decline hasn’t stopped Sichuan from forking up a sizable salary to bring over the 34-year-old, who actually considered playing in China last offseason before ultimately opting to sign with his hometown team in New York. It’s hard to say what kinds of domestic opportunities World Peace is turning down to go overseas, but this may be his best move financially.
Additionally, one of the benefits of signing with a Chinese team is the scheduling. Because the Chinese league’s season ends well before the NBA’s, World Peace should have the opportunity to join an NBA team for the stretch run next spring if he wants. So if the player’s ultimate goal remains getting another ring, he could still have that shot even with this deal in place.
See More:
