LAS VEGAS – The Lakers have waived Metta World Peace, leaving the door slightly ajar for him to sign with the Knicks. But a lot has to happen.
The Knicks have interest but it may be out of their control. Teams under the cap can bid for his services first, with the highest bid winning his services. If there are no bids, the Queensbridge product becomes an unrestrictred free agent.
However, Ron Artest Sr., Metta’s father, continued to claim tonight that his son prefers retirement than starting over again with a new club – even if it is his hometown Knicks. The father said his son doesn’t want to uproot his family, but Artest Sr. is holding out hope he changes his mind. Artest Sr. told The Post he is hoping he can finish his career with the Knicks and come “full circle.”
“I feel it’s a big, big possibility,’’ Artest Sr. told The Post tonight. “If the Knicks go after Ron, I can’t see him turning him down.’’
Knicks GM Glen Grunwald said in a conference call the club is hoping players get waived so he can add another “good player.” A Metta move would be the perfect response to the Nets signing Andrei Kirilenko today. Knicks coach Mike Woodson said today the club has to remain “patient” in case of amnesty waivers.
“It’s tough to say goodbye to a player such as Metta, who has been a significant part of our team the past four seasons. For anyone who’s had the opportunity to get to know him, it’s impossible not to love him,” said Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak in a statement. “He has made many contributions to this organization, both in his community work as well as in our games; perhaps no more so than in his clutch play in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals in helping to lead us over the Celtics in one of the greatest playoff wins in Lakers history. We thank Metta for all his contributions and wish him the best of luck in the future.”
World Peace, who played at St. John’s, averaged 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 75 games last season. Prior to joining the Lakers in 2009, he played with the Rockets, Kings, Pacers and Bulls, averaging 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals over the course of his career.
The Knicks had a chance to make the former Ron Artest a Knick in 1999 but passed on him in the first round, selecting Frenchmen Frederic Weis in what stands as the worst draft blunder in Knicks history. The Knicks have struck out on all their free-agent fronts and have been looking to add a pure small forward who defends and shoots the 3-pointers.
World Peace was named to the 1999-00 All-Rookie Second Team. He was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, and also was named to the NBA All-Star Team that season, as well as to the All-NBA Third Team. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in both 2004 and 2006, and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2003 and 2009.
For his off the court accomplishments, he was voted the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winner in 2011, according to a release by the Lakers.