Lakers Trade Rumors: Dealing Metta World Peace Would Be Addition by Subtraction

There has been plenty of talk regarding who the Los Angeles Lakers might be able to bring in to reverse their fortunes. Perhaps a more effective way to do that, however, would be to ship out troubled forward Metta World Peace.

According to Joe McDonnell of Fox Sports West, World Peace has been clashing with head coach Mike Brown because Brown has not involved him in the rotation much late in games. Undisclosed teammates have reportedly said that he has been walking around "crazy" and that he isn't in a good state of mind.

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There are a lot of guys in here who'd just like to see him gone, one player told FOXSportsWest.com on the condition of anonymity. I think we'd definitely be a better team if everyone didn't have to walk on eggshells when he's around.

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Not everyone believes in the theory of addition by subtraction, but when it comes to somebody who appears to be mentally unstable like World Peace, it lends credence to the idea. It isn't as if the artist formerly known as Ron Artest has been a key cog in the Lakers' attack over the past couple seasons.

He is only averaging five points and 2.6 rebounds per game this year, and he wasn't much better last season with 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. He certainly played a role in the Lakers' title run two years ago as a defensive specialist; even then, however, it was clear he was on the downside of his career.

Now all the Lakers need to do is find a trading partner, which may be a lot tougher than it sounds. Artest is contracted through the 2013-14 season and will have a salary exceeding $7 million. If the Lakers are desperate to dump him, then they can trade him and another asset, like a draft pick, to a team that hasn't used its amnesty cut. Then that team could exercise its amnesty cut on Artest following the year.

Failing that, Los Angeles will likely have to cope with the pouting World Peace for the remainder of the season before using its amnesty cut during the offseason. Seeing as the Lakers seem desperate to get into the title hunt right now, though, I have to believe that they would be willing to entertain any and all trade possibilities involving him.

It's difficult to say how much a disgruntled teammate can bring down the play of an entire team, but there is something holding back the 17-12 Lakers. It can't be easy for some of the players to deal with World Peace's antics, so getting his toxic personality out of the locker room should be a major priority.

The Lakers aren't likely to make a blockbuster trade for Rajon Rondo or Dwight Howard at this point, so they'll largely have to get the job done with their current roster. If locker room harmony has any bearing on success on the court, then dealing away World Peace could put Los Angeles right back into contention.