Metta World Peace to sign with Knicks

LAS VEGAS - Metta World Peace is coming home to play for the New York Knicks.

The Knicks said the contract has not been signed but an agreement has been reached.

“The team is amazing, the players. I’m excited to play and hustle,” World Peace said Monday while attending the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

“Yes, this is going to happen,” World Peace’s agent, Marc Cornstein, said. “He’s really excited to be joining his hometown team. That’s obviously been something that’s been a dream of his since growing up in Queensbridge.”

“He’s just thrilled to be joining the New York Knicks.”

World Peace was waived Thursday by the Los Angeles Lakers, who used the amnesty clause to create salary cap space. The 6-foot-7 forward will still be paid the $7.7 million that was owed to him by the Lakers.

“Obviously, Metta being from the area, and also much more importantly than just being a New Yorker, seeing the way he would fit in the team,” Cornstein said. “Coach [Mike] Woodson did an incredible job explaining what his role would be. (Knicks GM) Glen Grunwald really made him feel wanted.”

World Peace attended St. John’s in New York, when he was known as Ron Artest.

AP