Free agent forward Metta World Peace may be heading back to the Los Angeles Lakers after the team reportedly expressed plans to re-sign him for a one-year deal.

Yahoo Sports clarified that there is still no contract agreed upon, but noted that the basketball player's representatives have been discussing options with the Lakers.

It added that the team has various reasons for trying to bring back the 35-year-old player.

Sources of Yahoo Sports claimed that World Peace has been staying at the Lakers' practice facility during the offseason, playing against Lakers players like Julius Randle.

The small forward's last appearance in the NBA was during the 2013-14 season, when the New York Knicks waived him. He was part of the Lakers for four seasons from 2009-2013 and was a vital part of the team's 2010 championship. For his last playing season, World Peace spent it in China and Italy.

Now that the Lakers is reportedly in need of "depth" for their small forward position, will World Peace be the most suitable player for the job?

However, as suggested by CBS Sports, this move from the Lakers is a bit questionable, since World Peace "doesn't fill a hole or a need, is on the tail end of his career and more than likely won't even play a lot of minutes."

It added that the only thing that the player will be able to contribute is "veteran presence," which the report claimed is not really needed.

Previously known as Ron Artest, World Peace legally changed his name in September 2011, as per Biography.com.

"Changing my name was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world. I'm glad that it is now official," he explained.

An earlier SheKnows report also said that the Buddhist term "Metta" means "loving kindness and friendliness towards other."

"It took many years of research and soul-searching to find a first name that was both personally meaningful and inspirational," claimed the player's publicist Courtney Barnes on the SheKnows report.

His Biography profile further revealed that that he is known for his "fierce defensive play."

World Peace shared that he had a love for basketball ever since his he was a young kid. "I'm accustomed to playing basketball really rough. When I came into the league, I was used to fighting on the court. That's how I grew up playing basketball," he said.

Details of the possible deal are expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Would you like to see Metta back with the Lakers?