Lakers officially sign Metta World Peace

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Metta World Peace, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. A 16-year NBA veteran who spent four seasons in Los Angeles between 2009-13 before returning to the team last season, World Peace holds career averages of 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals in 32.4 minutes per game over 966 contests (838 starts) with the Bulls, Pacers, Kings, Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers. Last season with the Lakers, he appeared in 35 games (five starts), and did not miss any time due to injury. Born Ron Artest before changing his name during the 2011 offseason, World Peace was an integral member of the Lakers’ 2010 NBA Championship team, starting all 23 playoff games and averaging 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in 36.5 minutes per game during the postseason. Selected with the 16th pick of the 1999 NBA Draft by Chicago, World Peace was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2003-04 in addition to being chosen as an All-Star and member of the All-NBA Third Team that same year. He has also garnered four NBA All-Defensive Team selections and made the postseason nine times (including all four of his seasons in his first stint with L.A.) with four different franchises. World Peace was honored with the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2011, and is actively involved in mental health awareness initiatives.