Is anyone ready for World Peace II?
The Knicks have discussed whether to extend a training-camp invitation to Metta World Peace on a mostly non-guaranteed deal.
World Peace is eager to reunite with his former Lakers coach, Phil Jackson, and his former Los Angeles teammate, coach Derek Fisher, and erase the bitter memory of his original homecoming.
“[World Peace] has the utmost respect for Phil and Derek,’’ his agent, Marc Cornstein, told The Post. “There’s a history there. They know he’s out there.’’
The Knicks are trying to add another good-sized small forward to the roster. After Carmelo Anthony, only rookie Cleanthony Early is a true small forward. During summer league play, Early is trying to prove he is ready to be Anthony’s backup, but hasn’t shown he can create his own shot.
The World Peace camp has expressed interest to the Knicks. Under the buyout, the Knicks already are paying World Peace $250,000 for next season. If World Peace were invited and made the team, he’d be eligible for the veteran’s minimum, $1.4 million.
The Queensbridge product was disillusioned with his ballyhooed return to New York, which ended with a buyout Feb. 22 after he was buried in Mike Woodson’s doghouse and needed his left knee drained five times. Woodson didn’t like his offbeat act after signing him last July.
“Everyone who knows anything about my son knows he can only help a team,’’ said World Peace’s father, Ron Artest Sr.
Sources told The Post World Peace never would have asked for his release if he had known Jackson was coming.
If he doesn’t an invite to the Knicks’ training camp, he may become the assistant coach for the Palisades High girls basketball team in Los Angeles.
When the Knicks played at Staples Center on March 25, World Peace visited Jackson in his luxury suite. A source close to World Peace told The Post in March he would be interested in a second stint. “Abso-f—–g-lutely,’’ the source said.
The Knicks have commitments to 15 players, assuming they sign Early. However, general manager Steve Mills said big man Jeremy Tyler, who has a team option, will fight for a roster spot. As would the former Ron Artest if the Knicks invited him.
Fisher still has one assistant-coaching opening and the club has had talks with Jackson’s former longtime assistant, Jim Cleamons, but no deal has been struck. Cleamons, Jackson’s right-hand man in Chicago and Los Angeles, is known as a triangle guru, and was fired as a Bucks assistant amid the Jason Kidd takeover.
The delay could be related to financial issues, as Cleamons lives in Los Angeles and it could cost more to move him across the country.
The Lakers could conceivably bring Cleamons back to work on the new staff if Byron Scott is hired.
Kurt Rambis is already Fisher’s lead assistant. Jackson invoked Cleamons’ name in Las Vegas when he indicated Fisher needs a strong support system to run the triangle.
“I’ve had assistants Jim Cleamons, Kurt Rambis, etc., have gone off to coach and they hadn’t had the support to try and teach the triangle offense,’’ Jackson said.
Jackson’s former Lakers center, Andrew Bynum, is considering sitting out next season to undergo “Regenokine,” the Germany-based knee therapy treatment, for his arthritic knees, with well-known German doctor Peter Wehling according to his agent. That would put Bynum in play for the 2015-16 season when the Knicks will be in the market for multiple centers.
“If he’s healthy, Phil will be interested,’’ said Bynum’s agent, David Lee. “Phil knew how to tap into Andrew. They got along famously.’’