Instead of throwing a barbecue to celebrate his name change to Metta World Peace, Lakers forward Ron Artest plans to navigate the legal system.

With outstanding traffic warrants preventing Artest from legally changing his name, the Lakers forward wants copies of the citations and will pay them if "it's found they are unpaid," according to a person close to Artest who wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

It was expected that the name change would be made official at a hearing Friday morning at Stanley Mosk Courthouse, but Artest's next court date was scheduled for Sept. 16 because of the unspecified traffic citations. Artest was issued two tickets for "moving violations," according to the person, but wasn't informed how much they cost and what incidents earned him those citations.

The person doesn't believe that any of the citations was related to Artest's getting pulled over last summer for driving a race car without proper registration.

"He was definitely surprised the court believes these tickets are out," the person said of Artest. "If the tickets are found to be valid, Ron plans on paying them. He wants the name change to go forward without any additional delays." 

As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Without justice, there can be no peace."

RELATED:

Ron Artest isn't Metta World Peace yet

Ron Artest wants to change his jersey number

Ron Artest tries his luck as a host at a standup comedy club

Ron Artest's agent: insurance is obstacle to Cheshire Jets deal

--Mark Medina

Email the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Ron Artest. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times