World Peace waived by Lakers
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers waived Metta World Peace via the NBA’s amnesty provision Thursday, a cost-cutting move that could save them about $15 million in luxury taxes.
When center Dwight Howard bolted for Houston last week as a free agent, it ensured a roster spot for forward Pau Gasol but immediately put World Peace, 33, in jeopardy.
With World Peace gone, the Lakers have nine players under contract for about $75 million. After paying almost $30 million in luxury taxes last season, the most in the NBA, they are now about $3 million over the tax threshold for next season.
Earlier Thursday, the Lakers signed Nick Young to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million. An occasional starter with Philadelphia last season, Young is expected to start for the Lakers at small forward after averaging 10.6 points in his only season with the 76ers.
After averaging a career-low 7.7 points in 201112, World Peace improved under new Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni last season, averaging 12.4 points.
But he tore cartilage in his left knee in March, returned after only 12 days and was unable to produce after that. He averaged only six points and shot 25 percent in the playoffs.
“It’s tough to say good- bye to a player such as Metta, who has been a significant part of our team the past four seasons,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. “For anyone who’s had the opportunity to get to know him, it’s impossible not to love him.”
DEVELOPMENTS
Pistons, Billups agree: Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars confirmed Thursday that guard Chauncey Billups and the team have agreed to terms on a contract.
Billups is getting a twoyear deal, with the first season guaranteed, for $2.5 million each year.
Billups, a five-time AllStar, turns 37 in September.
Ex-Germantown star on point: Ian Clark says he hasn’t played a true point guard position since he was at Germantown High School. However, he’s relearning on the fly for the Miami Heat’s Summer League team in Orlando.
The 6-3 former Belmont shooting guard is making an impression on NBA coaches and general managers this week. Through four games with the Heat, Clark is leading the team with 16 points per game and is second on the team in minutes, averaging just over 26.
“I’ve been put in positions where I’ve been handling the ball more than I Chauncey Billups is heading back to Detroit, which agreed to a two-year deal with the guard on Thursday. did in college at the point position,” Clark told The Tennessean. “So being able to be under control is what I’ve been hearing a lot (from coaches), and just being able to take care of the ball and make the right reads.”
The Heat has one more game, in Orlando on Friday.
Briefly: The Dallas Mavericks have signed free-agent point guard Jose Calderon. Agent Mark Bartelstein said the contract is worth $29 million over four seasons. ... A source says the Brooklyn Nets have agreed to a contract with free-agent forward Andrei Kirilenko. ... Manu Ginobili has signed his contract with the Spurs and will be joined in San Antonio next season by Marco Belinelli. ... The Denver Nuggets have signed free agent forward J.J. Hickson to a three-year deal. ... The Portland Trail Blazers have signed rookie guard C.J. McCollum and free-agent guard Earl Watson.
Last year’s Team Penny, which featured University of Memphis incoming freshman Nick King, got off to a disastrous start at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.
This year’s version of Team Penny couldn’t be off to a better one.
Behind strong performances from K.J. and Dedric Lawson, Team Penny went 2-0 on the first day of pool play, with 59-55 and 74- 61 wins over Mokan Elite (Kan.) and NY Lightning, respectively.
The Lawson brothers combined to score 74