Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, is close to returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for a one-year deal, Adrian Wojnarowski reports via Twitter.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Metta World Peace is close to signing with the 16-time NBA Champions as he has begun working on the Lakers facility.

The 35-year-old started participating in informal workouts with the Lakers at their facility in El Segundo, Calif. World Peace is reportedly working out with Lakers' 2014 first round pick, Julius Randle.

He was waived by the Lakers via the amnesty clause in 2013 but ended up playing for the New York Knicks in 2014 before asking his release after appearing in 29 games and playing limited minutes, as reported by Lakers Nation.

World Peace eventually ended up in the Chinese Basketball Association, signing with the Sichuan Blue Whales in August 2014. He was replaced in the roster in December 2014 as he suffered a knee injury, according to Global Times. The NBA veteran averages 19 points, six rebounds and 2.3 steals in the CBA.

For the 2015 season, now known as "The Panda's Friend," he signed with Italian club Pallacanestro Cantù last March. In game five of the quarter-final match against Reyer Venezia Mestre, World Peace played his last game for the Italian club as he was ejected from the game. He was charged with five fouls after getting involved in a fight during the fourth quarter, leading to team's eventual loss, as per ESPN.

The Lakers are currently lacking in the small forward position as they only have Nick Young and Kobe Bryant capable of playing the position. According to a separate report from ESPN, World Peace signed with the Lakers in 2009, leaving the Rockets for a five-year, $33-million contract.

The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year was an important part of the 2010 Lakers championship run. He hit a game-winning shot in game five of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. He also scored 25 points in game six to help the Lakers advance to the NBA Finals.

In game seven of the finals against the Boston Celtics, World Peace scored 20 points and hit a late three-point shot to seal the 2010 NBA title for the Lakers. Coach Phil Jackson called him the MVP of game seven, as quoted by Chron. "Ron Artest was the most valuable player tonight. He brought life to our team," he said.

World Peace would be a useful piece for the young Lakers team especially as a mentor to Julius Randle. He could teach them how to play defense as he was a former Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time All-Defensive Team.