L.A. Lakers Rumors: Team Close To Deal With Former All-Star

L.A. Lakers rumors have the team close to a deal with a former All-Star. These Lakers rumors also indicate that Metta World Peace is already practicing with the team. A report from CBS Sports states that World Peace has been at the Lakers’ facility every day for workouts recently. Now it appears the front office is very close to finalizing a one-year deal with the forward.

World Peace was an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year with the Indiana Pacers before winding up with the Lakers for the 2009-10 NBA season. In his first year with the team, he started all 23 playoff games, helping Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson to win the title. He left the Lakers following the 2012-13 NBA season, but could end up providing added depth to a bench that could really use his toughness.

Though these L.A. Lakers rumors don’t indicate how much he is going to get paid, it is likely to be something close to the minimum for veterans. The team has the money to add another free agent, but Metta World Peace doesn’t exactly command a hefty salary at this point in his career. He will be 35-years-old at the beginning of the 2015-16 NBA, further suggesting that his minutes could also be limited as well. If he is up for the role of coming off the bench in this fashion, he could be very valuable in spurts.

This signing isn’t necessarily meaningful for fantasy basketball owners, unless it is in a league that is really, really deep. He will average single digits in points and rebounds, with the possibility low that he will see more than 15 minutes a night. What he does provide is defense that could come in handy late in games. It’s also possible that he could be a shutdown defender still, but he hasn’t seen NBA action since he was with the New York Knicks for the 2013-14 season for 29 games.

Maybe the most interesting aspect of Metta World Peace joining the Lakers again, is that Nick Young is still on the main roster. Those two personalities should make for an interesting season, even if the Lakers do struggle during this rebuilding phase. It might just be enough to drive Kobe Bryant into an early retirement if they cannot control their shot selections. For coach Byron Scott, there is a tough job laid out in front of him, but he likely welcomes these L.A. Lakers rumors due to the postseason success World Peace has already experienced.

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