Former NBA defender of the year Metta World Peace has signed a two-year deal with the New York Knicks.

World Peace, whose given name was Ron Artest, confirmed the deal Monday at the Knicks' summer league contest in Las Vegas. Details of the contract were not released.

World Peace, 33, averaged 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 75 NBA games, with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He went unclaimed in the amnesty waiver process and became a free agent on Sunday.

He was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2003-04.