In an ultimate display of respect, Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations, Magic Johnson told forward Metta World Peace the team appreciated what he did for them this season, but probably won't bring him back next year, according to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com.

The 37-year-old veteran has served the role of mentor for most of the season, getting most of his playing time during the tank-stretch of this 2016-17 campaign with feeble averages of 2.3 points per game, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists.

While World Peace still has a good basketball IQ from his days as an elite defender in the league, it's likely his NBA career has come to a close.

The 16-year veteran likely knew so, stealing the ball in the last seconds of the season finale against the Golden State Warriors, only to get fouled on his drive to the basket and convert one of his two free throws.

World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, has enjoyed 17 NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Lakers, and the Indiana Pacers, where he was infamously involved in the “Malice at the Palace” which saw a total of nine players suspended for a total of 146 games, leading to $11 million in salary losses by the players involved.

He averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals throughout his career.