Metta World Peace and 10 NBA Players Who Will Definitely Be Amnestied in 2012

While only a handful of NBA players were amnestied in 2011, we can anticipate a much larger group in 2012, led by none other than Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The player formerly known as Ron Artest is still owed nearly $15 million and his increasingly poor performance on the court simply doesn't justify the cost to keep him around past this season.

Let's take a look at 10 players who will definitely be amnestied in 2012.

All contract terms via HoopsHype.com.

10. Amir Johnson: Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors will owe Amir Johnson $19.5 million after this season, not exactly the kind of cash you want to be shelling out for a guy with career averages of six points and five rebounds.

It won't be long before Ed Davis takes Johnson's spot in the starting lineup this season.

9. John Salmons: Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings owe John Salmons over $22.6 million after this season and at 32 years of age, it's pretty hard to justify that kind of money for a guy averaging just eight points and two rebounds this year.

Considering the Kings youth movement, I wouldn't count on Salmons hanging on to his starting spot for much longer when they could realistically move Marcus Thornton to the 3 while inserting Jimmer Fredette at the 2.

8. Trevor Ariza: New Orleans Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets will owe Trevor Ariza $15 million dollars after this season, which seems like a bit much for a starting small forward that doesn't even average double figure scoring.

With the young Al-Farouq Aminu waiting in the wings behind him, I doubt the Hornets envision Ariza as a part of their long term plans for a major rebuilding project in New Orleans.

7. Mike Miller: Miami Heat

Miami Heat swingman Mike Miller is 31 years old and is still owed $18 million after this season.

This is pretty much a no-brainer as Miami signed Shane Battier to fill this role and Miller can never seem to get healthy.

6. Drew Gooden: Milwaukee Bucks

Drew Gooden is 30 years old and playing just 18 minutes per night off the bench for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Gooden is a good player when he gets a chance to play (24 points and 12 rebounds in his only start this year), but he's owed $20 million dollars after this season and the Bucks are looking to get younger.

5. Darko Milicic: Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves owe Dark Milicic nearly $11 million after this season and it won't be long before they start playing Kevin Love and Derrick Williams at the same time in their starting frontcourt.

Milicic is averaging just seven points and five rebounds this season in 19 minutes of play as the starting center for the Timberwolves. 

4. Richard Jefferson: San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs owe Richard Jefferson $21 million after this season.

For a team that desperately needs to get younger, it simply doesn't make sense to pay a 31-year-old swingman with an eroding skill set that type of money going forward.

3. Brendan Haywood: Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks will owe center Brendan Haywood over $27 million after this year, making him a prime amnesty candidate in 2012.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban will be looking to clear all the cap space he can this season in an attempt to land both Dwight Howard and Deron Williams in Dallas.

Haywood is averaging just 5.1 points and 6.6 rebounds in 20 minutes per game as the Mavs starting center.  

2. Metta World Peace: Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers will still owe the infamous Metta World Peace $15 million after this year.

Now coming off the bench, he's shooting 40 percent from the field and has made exactly two of the 16 three-pointers he has attempted this season.

He has been an absolute nightmare on the court this season, consistently stalling the Lakers offense whenever he enters the game.

1. Rashard Lewis: Washington Wizards

Rashard Lewis is the second highest paid player in the NBA behind Kobe Bryant and is owed nearly 24 million after he collects $22 million this season from the Washington Wizards.

Any questions?