Metta World Peace. AP/Don Ryan
The Los Angeles Lakers continues its rebuilding phase, having missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
As the storied franchise shifts to a more youth-oriented roster, reserved forward Metta World Peace acknowledged that he may no longer be in the team’s plans for the future.
Over the weekend, the 37-year-old NBA champion thanked the Purple and Gold organization and everyone who helped his career.
The once eccentric and volatile Peace, who legally changed his name from Ron Artest in 2011, summed up his goodbye in a simple yet meaningful tweet.
Thanks to Dr.Buss , Jeanie, Jim,PJ, Mitch , Luke, Magic for closing out my @Lakers ball career in fashion.
I had a great time as a player.— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) April 14, 2017
In his heyday, Peace was heralded as one of the most feared perimeter defenders in the league, capped off by the NBA Defensive Player of the year award in 2004.
He first joined the Lakers in 2009 to 2010 season, and was a crucial part of the team’s championship run the same year.
After a two-year stint overseas in China and Italy, Peace returned to the Lakers in 2015 and served as a mentor for the team’s young core. Khristian Ibarrola/JB
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