D’AN A FAN: Even though Lakers coach and former Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said Metta World Peace signing with the Knicks would “make sense,” the former Ron Artest is threatening to retire from the NBA to perhaps play in China — or the Arena Football League. (
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LAS VEGAS — Take it with a grain of salt.
That’s the message from agent Doug Davis in response to Metta World Peace’s remarks Friday he’s done with the NBA, done with his dream of playing at the Garden and has China or arena football in his future plans.
When told World Peace sounded serious, Davis told The Post, “Serious with Metta? You never know.’’
Davis, who is working on World Peace’s options with fellow New York-based agent Marc Cornstein, said he’s hoping the former Ron Artest has the choice to control his fate.
The Knicks have targeted World Peace, who has to clear amnesty waivers in order for them to have a shot at him. The 48-hour process began last night at 5 p.m. with 11 under-the-cap teams allowed to make bids.
“There’s a number of definitely positive things about New York,’’ Davis said. “Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to assess them [Sunday] after he clears waivers.
“It’s a very tense time, this 48-hour period. We want him to be in control of his own destiny.’’
World Peace has told his father he’s leaning toward retirement because he doesn’t want to uproot his family and leave his kids. That leads to the theory the Clippers are higher on his wish list than the Knicks, as USA Today reported Friday.
“While it may be good poetry to say he’s coming home [to New York] and it’s full circle, I’m looking at it more from a pragmatic view,’’ Davis said. “What would be the best opportunity, the quality of the team, financial.’’
World Peace stopped by the Lakers practice facility Friday and told reporters: “I don’t really want to play for anybody. I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to go to China, or coach or play arena football.”
As for coming home, the Queensbridge product said: “ I wanted to play in New York when I was in my prime and I was a young, fierce, lock-down [defender]. Madison Square Garden, that would have been sick. But right now, China is way more adventurous for me.’’
Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni told The Post the decision to amnesty World Peace was purely financial and not anything to do with his character or talent.
“Obviously, it’s a by-product of the [collective bargaining agreement],’’ D’Antoni said at the summer league at UNLV. “As a person and player, I couldn’t find anyone better. He’s great. I enjoyed coaching him. I hope he finds something great. He deserves it. It’s not the coaches. It’s management. They have to manage the cap.’’
D’Antoni, the ex-Knicks pilot, said he believes World Peace still can help a team.
“He averaged 14 points,’’ D’Antoni said. “He can play. He came back from an injury [meniscus] in 10 days that no human can do and he shouldn’t have. He wanted to help the team.’’
Davis told The Post he hopes teams that bid for World Peace do their research.
“I hope if they are considering putting in a bid for a star, they will call us to see where Metta’s head is at,’’ Davis said. “You hope they’d want to speak to him.’’
Knicks coach Mike Woodson, looking for a small forward, said his team is on alert in case World Peace falls free. Even if he gets claimed, a buyout still could be worked out and he could become a free agent again.
Davis and Cornstein are looking for the best situation for their client. If World Peace is not bid upon, the Knicks can only offer either the $1.4 million mid-level exception or the $1.7 million remainder of their mini mid-level exception.
D’Antoni said World Peace landing in New York would not surprise him.
“It makes sense and Glen {general manager Grunwald] continues to do a great job,’’ he said.
D’Antoni also praised Grunwald’s decision to trade for Italian center Andrea Bargnani, whom D’Antoni had tried to acquire when he was coaching the Knicks.
“I’ve known him for a while,’’ D’Antoni said. “I like what he can do. It’s a real good addition up front with Tyson [Chandler] and Melo [Carmelo Anthony] spacing the floor. That’s his niche. It didn’t work out, but we explored the possibility. It wasn’t possible at the time.’’