Metta World Peace said he was OK coach Mike Woodson denied him a spot in the rotation, but he wasn’t OK when told to tone it down in the locker room and refrain from taking a leadership role.
That’s when World Peace realized his Knicks stint was over and left the team, asking for a buyout Feb. 22 in Atlanta. World Peace had played the night before in Orlando but knew that was just temporary.
“He had his set rotation and I wasn’t in it,’’ World Peace told The Post by phone from his Beverly Hills home. “I played in Orlando only because [Iman] Shumpert was out. I asked my agent to be professional, respectful, and ask questions, and my agent said, ‘I think it’s best to try to get a buyout and get ready for the next opportunity.’ ”
World Peace had a player option for next season at $1.6 million and got about $250,000 of that figure in the buyout package, according to a source.
“I didn’t mind playing any role, but I didn’t see myself having a role, not even a leadership role,’’ World Peace said. “I was fine with being on the bench, but at times I wanted to help lead. But at times I tried to lead, it was met with resistance. I backed off a little and tried to blend in with the team. I tried to find where I could complement the players but I couldn’t find any room to complement.’’
World Peace said he wants to play two more seasons, then become a coach. He hasn’t ruled out rejoining the Knicks as a free agent next summer since he has experience in the triangle offense with Phil Jackson.