Metta World Peace News Update: Looking To Play For Yao Ming's Team in China After Lakers Amnesty Clause Used

After the Los Angeles Lakers used their amnesty clause on Metta World Peace, the defensive-minded forward expressed desire to play in China or play football, ruling out a return to the NBA next season.

World Peace told Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles that he does not want to be picked up by any team, not even his home-town team Brooklyn Nets, the New York Knicks, or even the Los Angeles Clippers, who are also reportedly interested in acquiring the forward.

According to the 33-year-old, he already talked to Yao Ming about the possibility of playing for the Shanghai Sharks, the team owned by the Chinese superstar in the professional league in China. World Peace also added that other teams also inquired about his availability.

The former defensive player of the year also reportedly talked to other NBA players who played in China after their NBA careers, and discussed the different opportunities in the country.

"You don't live twice. You're not 33 twice. You won't be able to play in China at a good level again. I wouldn't be able to play in China again averaging, maybe, 40 or more points. That would be fun," World Peace said.

After getting released by the Lakers through the amnesty provision in the collective bargaining agreement, any team other than the Lakers can acquire World Peace through the bidding process.

If World Peace declines to report to the team that will successfully pick him up, his status, including the $7.7 million the Lakers owe him, will be in jeopardy.

If no team picks him up 48 hours after he was waived by the Lakers, World Peace will become an unrestricted free agent and will have the right to sign with a team of his choice. Previous rumors suggested that World Peace was interested in playing for the New York Knicks next season, but the rugged forward reiterated that China is his only option.

"I had a chance to play in New York. I wanted to play in New York when I was in my prime and I was young, fierce, lock-down defender. Madison Square Garden, that would have been sick. But right now, China is way more adventurous for me," World Peace reiterated.

World Peace averaged 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 75 games last season, but was limited to just 6.0 points in three playoff games as he was slowed down by a nagging knee injury.