Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, is taking his talents overseas to China. He will sign a one-year, $1.43 million deal with the Sichuan Blue Whales of the CBA, RealGM’s Shams Charania confirms. He will be the highest paid import.
World Peace had hopes to make an NBA return but did not draw interest around the league. He was most recently in Los Angeles working on his game and was said to have interest in re-joining the Los Angeles Lakers, but the feeling was not mutual.
In China, he will get the opportunity to showcase some of the remaining skills he may have. World Peace was last seen playing pickup ball in Venice Beach, and he also published a video on his social media accounts of him dunking in the gym, showing off his hops.
Metta was waived by the New York Knicks 29 games into the 2013-14 season. He averaged career-lows of 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in New York. He still wishes to get an NBA contract after his one year stint in China.
It remains to be seen if Metta World Peace can revive his career, but he could possibly re-gain his confidence playing in a league where the competition is not too stiff.