Sichuan confirm Metta World Peace signing

Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) side Sichuan Blue Whales announced on Monday that they have signed NBA free agent forward Metta World Peace.

World Peace will receive a one-year deal worth $1.43 million, which will make him the highest-paid import player in CBA.

The14-year NBA veteran averaged career lows of 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds for New York Knicks last year, playing in just 29 games and struggling with injuries.

"I think because of last year, people think I'm still hurt," World Peace said during a recent television interview. "I'm not hurt. I got hurt a year ago, a year and a half ago. Just like anybody else, if they got hurt a year and a half ago, they'd heal. Two years, I'm healthy."

He'll now try to prove it with a Sichuan squad that earned promotion to the CBA last season after winning China's second-division championship two years ago.

The former Ron Artest, who won the 2003-04 Defensive Player of the Year award with the Indiana Pacers and the 2010 NBA championship with the Lakers, still hopes to land a roster spot with an NBA team once the CBA season wraps up in February, according to reports.