Confirmed reports were out that Metta World Peace has started regularly practicing for his former NBA club Los Angeles Lakers along with the team's crew of young players namely D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance and Julius Randle.

RealGM indicated that the Lakers and World Peace are nearing to an agreement to sign the enigmatic forward on a one-year deal, which would officially bring him back to the league after a season of playing in China and Italy.

Like Us on Facebook

The 35-year-old former St. John's standout last played for the New York Knicks in 2013-2014 when they signed him after being waived by the Lakers that summer via the team's amnesty provision. He averaged a lackluster 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 29 games during that season.

The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year had been at the Lakers' practice facility in El Segundo, California daily to do some informal workouts with the team's younger players.

Speculations were out that he will stay until the Lakers training camp at the end of the month and that management is actually considering to sign him to be a part of the roster this coming season.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski said that team officials believe World Peace "has evolved into a mature veteran who can impact a young roster with his toughness and resolve" and may also be used to fill-up the squad's gaping hole at the small forward position.

Meanwhile, CBS Sports' James Herbert noted that the only way that the rumor would make sense is if World Peace is "healthy and moving well", otherwise he can't be of any help to the team at all.

Another curious thing to watch out if MWP does return is how he is going to interact with resident joker Swaggy P. and how would Kobe Bryant feel about all the circus around him in what seems to be the final season of his career.

World Peace was part of the Lakers' 2010 NBA champion roster and had been an All-Star in 2004. He was the 16th overall selection in the 1999 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls and was widely known for his tenacious defense on-court and wild antics off-court.

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, Metta World Peace, Los Angeles Lakers