Los Angeles Lakers small forward Metta World Peace. (Photo : Getty Images)
Metta World Peace is back in the Los Angeles Lakers roster after he won the team's 15th and final roster spot over undrafted sophomore Jabari Brown. Speculations emerged that the primary reason why the 15-year veteran was re-acquired is to mentor the Lakers' younger players particularly power forward Julius Randle.
Lakers head coach Byron Scott disclosed that World Peace's leadership and locker room presence may have tilted the decision in his favor, which is actually ironic for someone with a notorious reputation.
"We know how Kobe (Bryant) is when he leads guys. He's real tough on guys at times," said Scott, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. "I think Metta's the type of guy that can keep kind of everybody together as well. That did kind of come into play."
World Peace played overseas in China and Italy last season after his tumultuous stint with the New York Knicks in 2013-2014 when he only played 29 games and averaged 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in 13.4 minutes per night for the Big Apple squad.
Yahoo Sports noted that the 22-year-old Brown "made a strong case" to be included in the lineup as he averaged 11.9 points, 1.9 boards, and 1.1 assists in 19 games for the Lakers last season.
However, management decided to go for more experience than youth for their last roster spots as the team is already loaded with young talent in the presence of Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Anthony Brown, and this year's second overall draft pick D'Angelo Russell.
Los Angeles also picked veteran Robert Sacre over undrafted rookie Robert Upshaw for their final frontcourt spot.
