Lakers Rumors: Buzz on Jabari Brown and Metta World Peace's Role with LA

The Los Angeles Lakers waived second-year shooting guard Jabari Brown on Monday to make room for Metta World Peace. An NBA league source told Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports that retaining World Peace on the roster also includes a “long-term plan to transition into an assistant coach for the franchise.”

World Peace—formerly known as Ron Artest—is a 15-year NBA veteran, including his stint with the Lakers from 2009 to 2013. He has averaged 13.8 points per game in his career but only 4.8 with the New York Knicks in 2013-14, his last season in the NBA. He spent parts of 2014 and 2015 playing professionally in China and Italy.

He even tried his hand at coaching, joining the staff at California’s Palisades Charter High School in 2014 in a mentoring role.

World Peace talked about his transition back to the NBA with Shahan Ahmed of NBCLosAngeles.com.

"It just happens with time," he said. "You get older and guys are coming into the league younger as you get older, and that's what you're supposed to do. You help the young guys so that they can have successful careers."

World Peace’s addition to the roster came as a surprise to many because the coaching aspect was not well-known. Also, many fans thought Brown, who averaged 11.9 points and 2.1 assists in 22 games for the Lakers last year, had a decent shot to make the team. The Lakers were high on him after he averaged 24.4 points per game for their NBA Development League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.

Brown could sign with the D-Fenders again if he clears waivers, but Medina said Brown will likely look for a contract overseas if another NBA team does not pick him up.

The Lakers must be high on World Peace as a coach, considering that he hasn’t played in the NBA in a year and a half. Look for the former St. John's Red Storm star to play sparingly and move into the coaching role sooner rather than later.

He is 35 years old and has averaged double figures in scoring just once since the 2009-10 season—there can’t be much left in his tank. Even World Peace isn’t sure he can keep up with the younger players in the league, per Ahmed.

“Only time will tell,” he said.

Even if he isn't sure it’s going to work as a player, World Peace is excited for the opportunity to mentor younger players, per ESPN.com’s Baxter Holmes:

Ahmed also reported that Kobe Bryant seemed to approve of the move—which is no small thing.

"Metta is extremely focused," Bryant said. "He watches what he eats. He works very, very hard every single day in practice. I think it's good for the young guys to be around that."

The team has won only 48 games over the past two seasons and likely thinks it has enough young talent on the roster. Seven players are under the age of 25, so bringing in World Peace over Brown makes some sense.

Lakers head coach Byron Scott made it clear that it was not an easy decision:

However, it came down to a business decision, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, who suggested Brown's struggles on defense may have played a factor.

"Brown, 22, showed some ability toward the end of last season, scoring 32 points against Sacramento, but his game was a little one-dimensional," he said.

It's clear that the Lakers are steadfast in their plan and feel as though the move will help them build toward the future.

However, as World Peace noted, only time will tell.