From Last Word on Pro Basketball, James Jukes
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to sign forward Metta World Peace. No details of the contract have been released, but the 16-year NBA veteran is expected to fight for a roster spot.
The deal was first announced by Shams Charania of The Vertical on Wednesday afternoon.
Metta World Peace has reached agreement on a deal to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 21, 2016
Los Angeles Lakers Sign Metta World Peace
World Peace, 36, is heading into his 17th season and adds a veteran presence to a young Lakers roster. Last season World Peace averaged 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 35 games. World Peace signed a similar deal last season and made the roster. The Lakers currently have a maximum 15 guaranteed contracts and have 19 in total. But with Lakers small forward Nick Young in an unstable situation, World Peace could easily win that final roster spot. Young is expected to be released in the near future.
In other Lakers news the team has also signed former fifth overall pick Thomas Robinson. Robinson was a top five pick of the Sacramento Kings back in 2012, but has since turned into a journeyman, playing for five different teams since being drafted. Robinson averaged 4.3 points and 5.1 rebounds last season with the Brooklyn Nets.
In addition to the World Peace and Robinson signings, the Lakers have added forwards Zach Auguste and Travis Wear, along with guard Julian Jacobs. All three players were added earlier this month.
Both World Peace and Robinson have good opportunities to make the final 15 man roster. World Peace is a strong veteran presence and Robinson makes the Lakers a more athletic team.
The Lakers head into the new season with a slightly different look than the previous campaign, with a new head coach in Luke Walton and several new faces added to the roster. Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov were both signed to four-year deals. The Lakers are still young, but the roster looks much better off than last season.
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