Metta World Peace Understands Lakers Decision To Amnesty
By Mike Dyce
The Los Angeles Lakers decided to amnesty Metta World Peace, and not Kobe Bryant like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban suggested. And surprisingly Metta World Peace doesn’t have any hard feelings.
“It was an extra $24 million that was going to have to come from a family-owned business,” World Peace said.
What World Peace is saying is that it would have cost the Lakers approximately $24 million to pay his salary, plus luxury taxes in 2013-14, if they did not waive him.
“I’m really close with the [Buss] family, so I would not want the family-owned business to have to come out of pocket like that. So, I definitely supported the decision.”
When Metta World Peace heard rumors earlier in the week that he was going to be amnestied he reached out to Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak with an alternative plan.
“I said, ‘Mitch, I want to come back and coach this year,’ ” World Peace said. “That was the first thing I texted Mitch. I said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ I said, ‘I understand what you have to do and I would love to help the young guys. I want to coach. I want to help y’all win a championship.'”
Now he is thinking about playing in China, and has said he doesn’t want to play in the NBA any more.
“I enjoy myself,” World Peace said. “I definitely enjoy myself. 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. You guys will see me there, and you’re going to be writing about it.”
Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni said that he didn’t want World Peace amnestied.