The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly eyeing a reunion with Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, in the upcoming 2015-16 NBA season.
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports revealed that World Peace has been working out for the Lakers over the past several weeks and is nearing a one-year agreement with the team.
World Peace is no stranger to Lakers fans. The veteran forward played four seasons in Los Angeles before moving to New York in the 2013-14 season after being amnestied by the Lakers. Following his stint with the Knicks, World Peace played in China and Europe after failing to secure a deal with an NBA team.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak confirmed to USA Today that they are indeed looking at the possibility of signing World Peace to add a veteran presence to their young roster. Kupchak said that they still have two weeks before training camp to evaluate World Peace.
"Nothing's imminent in terms of a signing anytime soon, but it's hard not to watch a guy when he's in your gym every day going up and down the court, working with young guys, playing hard," Kupchak said. "Part of me says he can still play, so I don't know where we're going to end up on it. But that's kind of where it is."
World Peace, who has 15 seasons of NBA experience, is not expected to carry big responsibilities in terms of statistics. If he signs with the Lakers, World Peace would be an additional locker room presence alongside veteran superstar Kobe Bryant.
Bryant will likely retire after the 2015-16 NBA season and the 19-year veteran is already preparing for camp. According to Kupchak, he expects the 37-year-old superstar to be ready for camp after recovering from a shoulder surgery earlier this year.
Kupchak said, though, that he and head coach Byron Scott will take a cautious approach on Bryant's return in order to avoid the possibility of sustaining another injury.
"My understanding is that he'll be ready for camp," Kupchak said. "Knowing Kobe, he will try to participate in every practice in camp. But myself and Byron are going to have something to say about that. So I'm sure there will be a practice or two or three where we won't let him practice, but I do expect him to be full bore at camp."
