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Luke Walton Had A Hard Time Telling Metta World Peace That He Won’t Be A Laker Next Year

Metta World Peace has won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010. His teammate back then, Luke Walton, was his coach this past season. The last season of Metta World Peace being a Laker.

The 37-year old veteran has spent several years with the Lakers. From 2009 to 2013, and again from 2015 until now. World Peace wants to play for a couple of more years, but the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t planning with him anymore. Coach Walton said it was very tough to let his friend know, that he won’t be playing for the Lakers next year.

 

“It’s obviously tough. Metta’s more than just a player I coach. He’s a friend. He’s an old teammate that we won a championship together. He’s one of the Laker favorites and for me, having my first year coaching, he was a tremendous help all year.”

While Peace, who has been in the league for 17 seasons hopes to reach the 20 season mark like Vince Carter and Dirk Nowitzki, the Lakers would love to have Metta World Peace back at some point, to help the young guys and possibly be part of the coaching staff.

Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka said they wanted to give Peace clarity early. He said:

“I think he made it clear: He probably still wants to try and play. But when that journey is over, we know he’ll always be a big part of the Los Angeles Lakers.”

In the Lakers’ last season game, Metta World Peace started, and received cheers from the crowd every time he touched the ball. Metta finished with a game-high and season-high 18 points. When Coach Walton subbed Peace out in the fourth quarter, Lakers coach Luke Walton subbed him out, the Lakers fans gave MWP a standing ovation, while chanting “Metta!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-5bSzUSYlU