NBA's Metta World Peace Released By L.A. Lakers; Could He Play In China?

Metta World Peace does not want National Basketball Association teams to pick him up off waivers, after the Los Angeles Lakers cut the forward using their amnesty clause rights, and is considering playing in China next season.

"I don't really want to play for anybody," World Peace said Friday at the Lakers' practice facility. "I don't want to go anywhere. I want to go to China, or coach or play arena football."

World Peace has spoken with Yao Ming about joining his Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks, as well as with representatives from other teams in the Chinese Basketball Association.

World Peace, who recently visited Beijing and Qingdao, has also reached out to Stephon Marbury,Steve Francis, and Gilbert Arenas, former National Basketball Association veterans who have made the leap to the CBA, about playing abroad.

"You don't live twice," said World Peace. "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."

Despite his desires to play in China, World Peace may have to settle for playing in the NBA considering he cannot collect the $7.7 million he is owed if he refuses to report to the team that claims him off waivers. If he clears waivers, he becomes a free agent.

USA TODAY Sports reports that World Peace has some interest in the Los Angeles Clippers as a possible destination, avoiding the pain of relocating while playing for a contender.

The Knicks have also expressed interest in the former St. John Red Storm star, being able to only offer the veteran's minimum contract of $1.4 million annually, but the Queensbridge, N.Y. native shot down that rumor.

"I had a chance to play in New York," said World Peace to ESPN. "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."

The amnesty clause was put into the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement to give teams financial relief from unwanted contracts that were signed before the lockout ended in December 2011. Teams that use the one-time amnesty clause get an opportunity to shed a burdensome contract, buying out the contract without it counting against their cap numbers, giving franchises salary cap relief and a chance to lower their luxury taxes.

If playing China does not work out for him, World Peace already has a Plan B: arena football.

"I don't do something unless it's going to be fun. I'm telling you, if I have a chance to play arena football, I'm going to do it," said World Peace. "You guys will see me there, and you're going to be writing about it."