NBA Free Agency News 2013: Knicks Interested In Lakers' Metta World Peace

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First Posted: Jul 12, 2013 07:13 PM EDT

The New York Knicks are reportedly in the lead to acquire former Defensive Player of the Year winner Metta World Peace, who was officially amnestied by the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

The Knicks, who already signed J.R Smith and Pablo Priogini this offseason, can offer World Peace a veteran minimum deal worth $1.4 million if the mercurial small forward clears waiver.

However, getting World Peace won't be that easy for the Knicks with 11 teams under the salary cap--the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Bobcats and Sacramento Kings--able to bid on him for the next 48 hours.

The Lakers will still have to pay World Peace $7.7 million, but the move allows them to cut $15 million from the team's luxury tax bill.

"It's tough to say goodbye to a player such as Metta. For anyone who's had the opportunity to get to know him, it's impossible not to love him,'' Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters following their decision to amnesty World Peace.

World Peace, who averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game in his final season with the Los Angeles Clippers, has long expressed his desire to play for the Knicks. Metta's father, Ron Artest Sr., also believes the Knicks are a perfect match for his son.

"My gut feels like if the Knicks want him now, my gut tells me it will happen,'' Artest Sr. told New York Post on Friday, who runs his own kids foundation in New York City. "I haven't spoken to him yet tonight. I think he could be a prized possession for the Knicks. He wanted to play for the Knicks for so long, since childhood.''

The Knicks have been looking for a small forward with the ability to defend and knock down three-point shots since the start of the free-agency period. If the Knicks somehow land World Peace, he will be another additional frontcourt help to a team that already acquired Andrea Bargnani via trade with the Toronto Raptors.

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