NBA Rumors: Metta World Peace says he would have never left Knicks if he knew Phil Jackson was coming
By Josh Hill
The New York Knicks bought out the contract of forward Metta World Peace just after the trade deadline passed but the free agent veteran is having second thoughts about the move now that things have dramatically changed for the Knicks future.
When he was bought out, the Knicks were going down the tubes and their future was bleak as best. But since then, Phil Jackson has taken over the club and things are all of a sudden very bright and positive. Had Jackson been coming aboard when Metta World Peace was offered a contract buyout, he says he would have never accepted it.
"“Definitely, I could see him winning next year big and being a problem in the East. A major problem. Because he has the pieces already. … The Knicks are going to be a major problem. With Phil there, it’s done. Everybody watch out in the East.”"
He also responded to a question about whether or not he’d have left the Knicks knowing Jackson was coming aboard with a quick “Absolutely not”, which shows you how fast things can turn in the NBA.