Hello and welcome to the Evening News.
As free agency continues, we’ll keep you updated every night.
What’s happening today?
Knicks sign Metta World Peace to a two year contract
Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the New York Knicks have signed Metta World Peace to a two year, $3.2 million contract.
The second year of World Peace’s deal has a player option for $1.6 million.
With media. pic.twitter.com/UARzYEOtp7
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) July 15, 2013
World Peace met with Knicks GM Glen Grunwald and coach Mike Woodson in Las Vegas today to discuss the possible marriage.
The Knicks had to use what was left of their mini-midlevel exception to secure a commitment World Peace.
A native of Queensbridge, World Peace played a handful of his college games at Madison Square Garden when he starred at St. John’s in the late 1990s.
When the Knicks opted to draft Frederic Weis over him in 1999, World Peace was visibly disappointed. Now, however, World Peace admits that he probably wouldn’t have been able to handle New York City at such a young age:
Metta World Peace says he’s happy the Knicks didn’t draft him in 1999. Says he wasn’t ready for New York.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) July 15, 2013
The Lakers amnestied World Peace last week to save nearly $8 million dollars in cap space and exponentially more with the luxury tax penalty.
Since clearing waivers, World Peace had been publicly indecisive about his future in the NBA. As recently as yesterday, World Peace was reported as telling close friends that he was seriously contemplating a move to China to play for the Shanghai Sharks.
While the 33-year-old will not make the Knicks younger, he will certainly improve their defense and toughness. He averaged 12.4 points on 34% from deep last season in Los Angeles.
As it stands today, expect the Knicks to start a lineup of Raymond Felton, Iman Shumpert, World Peace, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler.
Elton Brand agrees to contract with Atlanta
The Atlanta Hawks have announced that they have come to terms on a one-year contract with Elton Brand. 
While the Hawks would not reveal how much the contract would be for, rumors are surfacing suggesting it will be worth approximately $4 million.
Brand, the first overall pick in 1999, averaged a career low 7.2 points and 6.0 rebounds over 72 games with the Mavericks last season. Still, he is a strong defender and has always been a competent rebounder.
He will likely serve as a formidable backup to Al Horford and Paul Millsap on the Hawks’ front line.
“Elton brings a veteran presence both on and off the court and is a welcome addition to our locker room,” said GM Danny Ferry. “His ability to play center or power forward will give our frontcourt a great deal of versatility and we think he will be an outstanding fit to our program.”
Ferry and Brand have ties dating back to Brand’s time as an All American at Duke.
For one year, the two-time all star looks like a worthwhile investment.
