When Metta World Peace signed with the Los Angeles Lakers before the preseason began, it was just assumed he would make the roster. A veteran who can assist new head coach Luke Walton with this young core of potential future stars.
Now as the season is set to begin and final cuts are getting made, World Peace is among those candidates who may possibly be waived. But the Lakers aren’t looking to completely remove Metta from the organization. They’re interested in bringing him on as an assistant coach.
Following from Marc Stein and Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN.
The odds are against Metta World Peace making the Los Angeles Lakers’ opening night roster, but the Lakers have (an) interest in keeping the veteran forward around as an assistant coach if they can’t make room for him as an active player, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that World Peace’s impact as a mentor to young players last season was a big reason they invited him to training camp again under new coach Luke Walton.
Sources say World Peace’s preference, at age 36, is to continue his playing career, even if the Lakers ultimately decide they won’t keep him and that forces him to look elsewhere. L.A.’s decision must be made by Monday at 5 p.m. when all NBA teams are required to get down to 15 players in advance of the first night of the regular season.
Metta said previously he wants to play a few more seasons but this might be the sign he needs to realize that he just can’t hoop anymore. Both Yi Jianlian and Thomas Robinson were on the fringe with Metta among those who could possibly be cut by Monday but if Metta is willing to coach, they could keep those two players and see which could be a possible surprise addition. My money is on Thomas Robinson cracking the Lakers rotation and being a player they keep beyond just this season.
If nothing else, Metta on the Lakers coaching staff could cause for even more hilarity than ever before. Just look for him to make some comical observations while working with some of the younger guys.
