The pride of Queensbridge is heading to the Far East.
Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, has agreed to spend the 2014-15 season in China playing for the Sichuan Blue Whales, according to the team’s general manager.
The 14-year NBA veteran, who spent part of last season with the Knicks, said he had met with three Chinese teams on Tuesday. According to reports from China, he landed a large contract, by the league’s standards.
World Peace, 34, reportedly had been interested in returning to the Knicks with the addition of his former Lakers coach, Phil Jackson, as the team’s president. He struggled with injuries last season, appearing in only 29 games, while averaging a career-worst 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds.
Former Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury has played for years in China, and former All-Stars Gilbert Arenas and Tracy McGrady have had career-downslope stints in the Chinese league.