NBA Free Agency Rumors and News 2013: New York Knicks Sign Metta World Peace on Two-Year Deal

Metta World Peace has reportedly reached an agreement to play with the New York Knicks on a two-year deal, a source close to situation reported on Tuesday.

After he was amnestied by the Los Angeles Lakers last week, World Peace returned to his hometown of New York to play with the Knicks.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports first broke the news that World Peace and the Knicks had agreed on a two-year contract, though the value of the deal is still undisclosed.

"Metta World Peace has reached an agreement in principle on a two-year deal with the New York Knicks, league source tells Y! Sports," Wojnarowsk posted on his Twitter account.

Previously known as Ron Artest, World Peace grew up in Queens, New York and played high-school hoops at the nearby La Salle Academy and then college ball at St. John's University.

World Peace, who averaged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game in his career, will finally give the Knicks a lockdown defender in the perimeter. Moreover, World Peace's arrival further deepens the Knicks bench, which already has J.R Smith, Pablo Priogini, and Andrea Bargnani.

The Knicks had always been the frontrunner to get World Peace ever since the Lakers decided to amnesty the unpredictable small forward in an effort to avoid a higher luxury tax bill.

Drafted 16^th overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, the 33-year old World Peace played with five teams (the Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and the Lakers) prior to his decision to join the Knicks.