With training camp only days away, the Los Angeles Lakers are filling out their roster with different players who will be competing for a final roster spot. Last season, Metta World Peace surprisingly beat out some younger players for the team’s 15th spot, and now it looks like he’ll get the chance to do it again.
According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Lakers have reached an agreement to re-sign World Peace:
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
Though none of the terms of the deal have been released, it would make sense if it were a training camp deal like the one World Peace signed last year as the Lakers are already at the maximum of 15 guaranteed contracts and 19 total, leaving them with one open spot ahead of camp.
Of course one of those contracts belongs to Nick Young who has been rumored to be on his way out of Los Angeles. That has yet to happen ahead of training camp, however, but Young could still be released, especially if the Lakers find someone better to keep instead of him.
Last season World Peace was excellent as a mentor for the young players on the Lakers, and he could fill that role again. The Lakers brought in Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng who will help the young guys grow, but there would be nothing wrong if World Peace could help as well.
In addition to World Peace, the Lakers have also signed Zach Auguste, Travis Wear, and Julian Jacobs to training camp deals.
Last year, World Peace appeared in 35 games for the Lakers, starting in five, and averaging 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.