Free agent Metta World Peace of the New York Knicks is reportedly off to China to play with the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA)'s Sichuan Blue Whales.

Ronald William Artest Jr., who legally changed his name to Metta World Peace in September of 2011, recently tweeted, "One day til China ... Just have to sign now," clearly indicating his intentions to playing in China.

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Artest started his career as 16^th overall with the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 NBA draft and have played for a number of teams including the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets, before landing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009.

The 2004 All-Star Artest signed a five-year deal with the Lakers. He won his first and only NBA championship ring in 2010 before legally changing his name to Metta World Peace.

In July of last year, World Peace signed a two-year contract with the Knicks and was waived by New York last February after they bought out his contract.

The Sichuan Blue Whales, promoted to the CBA after becoming champions of the Chinese National Basketball league in 2013, have two other American players with them, namely Michael Efevberha and D. J. White.

White recently played with the Charlotte Bobcats. It's unclear if he will play next season with the Bobcats, or that World Peace would be replacing him at Sichuan.

Nearing retirement age, 34-year-old World Peace might be playing his last season with the Blue Whales, although other former NBA stars are still playing past the age of 35 in the CBA. Stephon Marbury with defending champions Beijing Ducks is already 37 and have been playing with them since 2011.

Marbury is a two-time NBA All-Star when he played for the New Jersey Nets from 2001 to 2004. He also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics before playing for the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons of the CBA in 2010.

TagsRon Artest, cba, Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons