At 2pm today, the deadline for non-guaranteed contracts to become guaranteed passed, meaning teams could release players under those contracts and not have to pay anything else. The Lakers had two players in that situation in Thomas Robinson and Metta World Peace.
While most assumed Robinson was in no danger as he is a part of the rotation and contributing regularly, World Peace was another story as he rarely plays and the Lakers could use his roster spot potentially.
— Get 15% off everything in the Lakers Nation Store right now by using the promo code ‘Lakers’ —
Head coach Luke Walton publicly pined for the Lakers to keep World Peace on the roster and the front office was on the same page as both he and Robinson will remain with the Lakers according to Tania Ganguli of the LA Times:
As expected, the Lakers didn't waive Metta World Peace or Thomas Robinson by today's 2 pm deadline. Their contracts will become guaranteed.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) January 7, 2017
World Peace was able to get some minutes late in Friday’s game against the Miami Heat and was showered with cheers by the Staples Center fans who understood it could’ve been the last time he suited up for the team. Thankfully for World Peace, everything was a bit premature.
World Peace of course helped the Lakers get a championship back in 2010, but these days he’s more valued by the team for his role as a mentor and role model for the younger players. Walton likes having him around and the players respect him and his knowledge of the game.
For Robinson there was never any worry as he has played his way into a regular rotational role for the Lakers thanks to his non-stop energy and hustle, as well as his work on the boards. The Lakers could still choose to release either player later in the season if they need to, but for now, everything remains the same.
