Lakers GM says team will consider signing Metta World Peace
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak admitted that he's open to a potential reunion with mercurial forward Metta World Peace.
"We’re talking a lot about it," Kupchak told USA Today's Sam Amick on Friday. "We’re not there yet. Personally, I think (there’s) a lot of things that he brings to the table, but any player that we would sign would have to be able to earn a spot on the team and that would certainly apply to him too."
Kupchak added that while the sides aren't close to a deal at this time, he's been impressed by the 35-year-old's work ethic. World Peace has been working out daily at the Lakers' training facility.
"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."
The Lakers certainly have enough room to bring in World Peace, as they currently have just 12 guaranteed contracts along with five non- or partially guaranteed deals. That leaves the Lakers three spots shy of the maximum 20 players that teams can bring to training camp.
The Lakers plan on signinng one to three more players before training camp opens in Hawaii Sept. 29. They have 17 players signed now.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) September 9, 2015
World Peace signed a five-year deal with the Lakers in 2009. He helped the Lakers secure the 2010 NBA championship by draining a clutch 3-pointer in the dying moments of Game 7, but his performance significantly dropped off over the life of his contract. The Lakers waived him using the amnesty clause after the 2012-13 season.
The 15-year veteran averaged 13.8 points per game in his NBA career with six teams, but has not played in the league since a 29-game stint with the New York Knicks in 2014. World Peace played parts of last season in China and Italy.