Lakers brings back veteran forwards into its squad for the upcoming season. Their experience in the league is expected to bring positive influence for Lakers' young players.
Metta World Peace was one of the of Lakers squad who won the 2010 NBA champion and he is known to be a very tough defender, and with 16 seasons in the league, there will be a lot for him to share to young players.
World Peace is very delighted to come back to Staples Center as he will be reuniting with his teammates who won the 2010 NBA champion, together with Luke Walton, who is now the Lakers head coach.
"I'm excited about everything. I'm prepared to help the young guys grow. To play, everything," he said in an interview with ESPN.
His experience as veteran player is needed to help young players to develop themselves. In his NBA career, World Peace averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals. The 6'7" small forward is known for his versatility in defense and awarded Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.
Lakers also brings in another veteran, power forward Thomas Robinson, Los Angeles Times reported. Robinson became restricted free agent this season following the end of his one year contract with Brooklyn Nets.
Sacramento Kings drafted Robinson in 2012 as the fifth overall pick, and the Kings drafted him to Houston Rockets in his rookie year. After one year in Houston, he was traded to Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent two seasons before Philadelphia 76ers acquired him in 2015.
This season wil be the first time for LA Lakers to start the new season without Kobe Bryant since 1995. Coach Walton has stated earlier that mixing the young talents and established veterans in current roster is a strong ingredients to build the future generation of Lakers. He selected his old team mate World Peace to help him guiding young talents such as Zach Auguste, Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russel and Julian Jacobs.
Los Angeles Lakers will face Sacramento Kings in a pre-season game on Oct 4, 2016 in Honda Center, Anaheim, California.
