Basketball player Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers arrives as a guest  at the  premiere of producer Tyler Perry's new film "Peeples" in Hollywood May 8, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace (formerly Ronald William Artest Jr.) tweeted that he plans to play for Yao Ming's team, following the Lakers' decision to officially release Metta.

"I'm going to play for Yao Ming's team in China! I can't wait to arrive in Shanghai," World Peace wrote on Twitter.

Several days ago, rumor circulated about cutting World Peace and has been reported by US media, which came true.

World Peace is firmly against playing for small-market teams. "If the Lakers do amnesty him, he might want to retire. If one of these small-market teams picks him up, he won't be happy with that," said longtime friend and confidant of World Peace Jose Morales, International Business Times reported.

Earlier reports said that if Lakers cut ties with World Peace, the Knicks will give him a chance. Surprisingly, World Peace said he is headed to China. He is Yao's former teammate on the Houston Rockets, and was also invited to the Yao Foundation Charity Game.

However, whether World Peace just tweeted in the heat of the moment or really intends to move to China and play for Shanghai Sharks has yet to be confirmed.