After the short-lived Dwight Howard era was ended, the Los Angeles Lakers have been looking for new ways to improve their roster and remain under the luxury tax, and that included the amnesty provision of fan favorite Metta World Peace.
For years World Peace was a defensive presence for the Lakers on the perimeter and have the roster some much needed toughness and attitude. However, with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and punitive taxes, the Lakers had no choice but make a sound financial decision and amnesty World Peace's contract.
Coach Mike D'Antoni spoke with reporters during Lakers Summer League game, and was asked whether he believed the decision was a "by-product of the CBA," according to a Yahoo! Sports report.
"Obviously it's a byproduct of the CBA," D'Antoni said at the team's Summer League in Las Vegas. "As a person and player, I couldn't find anyone better. He's great. I enjoyed coaching him. I hope he finds something great. He deserves it. It's not the coaches. It's management. They have to manage the cap."
World Peace cleared waivers late Sunday afternoon, thus making him an unrestricted free agent. According to a person close to the veteran, World Peace wants to play for New York and now with him being a free agent the Knicks can offer him part of their taxpayer mid-level exception and have already reached out to the ex-Laker.
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