From the ‘Malice at the Palace’ to a plea for peace in the Middle East, Ron Artest’s career has been anything but predictable. Now, the former Lakers champion has a new, and perhaps his most ambitious, goal: urging Donald Trump to appoint him as an ambassador. The ex-Defensive Player of the Year took to social media this week to pitch himself for a diplomatic role, saying he wants to help resolve tensions in the Middle East.

“I need to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel and Palestine. Whenever that job opens, I would like my name in the hat,” the Lakers legend tweeted. “I need to help the Middle East. Communication is so off. I definitely have experience in squashing beefs. More experience than others. I also have a motivated world peace.”

And I have identified openings for world peace and peaceful living. I’m all in to be of service to America and the world. Particularly the Middle East and Northern Africa.”

It’s not the first time that Artest, aka Metta World Peace, has spoken about bringing peace amid the turmoil. His plea this time is towards President Donald Trump, who nominates the ambassador before the Senate votes on the confirmation. In his previous tweets, Artest added, “I will gladly love to bring all Middle Eastern countries together at one table for a week of resolve. I have a great solution to create a better world for the children in the region.”

This philosophy extends to his political ambitions, where he claims he turned down opportunities because he ‘can not be a yes man,’ and even to his proposed solutions for the Middle East, which he cheekily calls the ‘Metta way to resolve the conflict.’ Ron Artest, who famously changed his name to Metta World Peace in 2011 based on the Buddhist term for ‘kindness,’ wants an opportunity to create change.

“As the longest reigning marketer of world peace daily since 2011, I am hoping for real peace instead of fake peace or even worse, no peace,” tweeted Artest. But he is still waiting for an opportunity to get an appointed position.

Lakers legend almost got the job with the NBA franchise

Even after stepping away from the hardwood, over the last year, Ron Artest campaigned for a job with the New York Knicks. After the franchise fired the fourth-winningest coach in franchise history, Tom Thibodeau, Artest threw his name in the hat multiple times. And the former Lakers even claimed it was almost done, but it failed for one reason.

“I tried to get the New York head coaching job,” Sandiford-Artest said, “It almost happened, but you know some people were scared, some people were hating actually.” However, no other reports confirm this claim. Eventually, the Knicks settled on Mike Brown.

But for Artest, it would have been a great story. Before going pro, Artest played college basketball at St. John’s from 1997 to 1999. Then, in the 1999 draft, he waited for his hometown team to draft him, but they passed on the chance. And it seems they did the same for their head coaching role. While his political aspirations may seem unconventional, Artest’s persistent search for a meaningful second act, whether in a situation room or a locker room, is a story in itself