The NBA offseason is winding down, and with fewer free agents available, teams are facing the challenge of finding valuable additions to their rosters. However, the New Orleans Pelicans’ recent decision to waive forward Matt Ryan presents a unique opportunity for NBA teams. Ryan, known for his three-point shooting prowess, could be a game-changer for teams looking to boost their outside shooting without breaking the bank.
Matt Ryan’s journey to the NBA has been anything but typical. After going undrafted in 2020, Ryan played in the G League before earning opportunities with the Celtics, Timberwolves, and Lakers. It was during the 2023-24 season with the Pelicans that Ryan truly found his groove as a deadly three-point specialist.
The Pelicans’ decision to waive Ryan was purely financial, as they aimed to avoid paying the luxury tax with a full roster already in place. This move reflects a larger trend in the NBA, where financial considerations sometimes outweigh retaining valuable role players. For teams in need of a sharpshooting forward like Ryan, this presents a golden opportunity to snag a proven scorer at a bargain price.
Many teams in the NBA struggled with three-point shooting in the previous season, including the Grizzlies, Spurs, Raptors, Wizards, Hornets, and Cavaliers. Each of these teams could benefit from adding Ryan to their roster.
For the Grizzlies, known for their defensive prowess, Ryan’s shooting could provide the spacing needed to complement stars like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Other teams like the Spurs, Raptors, Wizards, Hornets, and Cavaliers also stand to gain from Ryan’s sharpshooting abilities, as he could be the missing piece to improving their offensive efficiency.
In a league where every point matters, signing a player like Matt Ryan could make all the difference for a team’s playoff aspirations. As the NBA offseason draws to a close, don’t be surprised if you see Ryan’s name popping up on the roster of a team looking to elevate their three-point shooting game.
