Metta World Peace with Lakers in 2013
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant pats Lakers forward Metta World Peace (2nd R) on the chest while standing between Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) and Pacers forward Paul George (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Indiana March 15, 2013. Reuters/Brent Smith

Metta World Peace is going back to the Los Angeles Lakers after signing a short-term deal with one of his former teams in the NBA.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that the deal is for one year for World Peace, also formerly known as Ron Artest, who played for basketball leagues in China and Italy the past season.

Earlier in the offseason, there were reports that World Peace was working out with his former ballclub and it appears that the 35-year-old veteran forward showed enough strength in the tryouts to warrant a return to the Hollywood squad, where he played from 2009 to 2013.

Artest, who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft or the 16th overall selection, played for Chicago from 1999 to 2002 before landing with the Indiana Pacers (2002 to 2006), Sacramento Kings (2006 to 2008), Houston Rockets (2008 to 2009), Lakers and Knicks (2013 to 2014).

In 13 seasons in the NBA, World Peace has career averages of 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals. The controversial and volatile forward is known for his defensive skills and that could help the Lakers squad, which struggled defensively for the past two seasons.

With the Sichuan Blue Whales in the Chinese Basketball Association in the 2014-2015 season, World Peace averaged 19.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 15 games played.

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