The New Orleans Pelicans have officially re-signed small forward Matt Ryan to a one-year contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Pelicans had initially waived Ryan last week, but after he cleared waivers, the team opted to bring him back on a restructured deal.
Ryan, 27, stands 6-foot-6 and made 28 appearances for the Pelicans last season, where he averaged 5.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. He showcased his shooting ability by hitting 43.4% from the field and an impressive 45.1% from beyond the arc. Over his career, Ryan has played in 63 games with the Pelicans, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves, maintaining a career 3-point shooting percentage of 41.1%.
Despite already having a crowded wing rotation, featuring players like Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, and Jordan Hawkins, the Pelicans see value in Ryan’s sharpshooting abilities. The team also recently bolstered their backcourt by acquiring Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, pairing him with CJ McCollum.
Ryan’s ability to consistently knock down shots from the perimeter makes him a valuable asset in today’s increasingly three-point-oriented NBA. His re-signing suggests the Pelicans are focused on maintaining a deep and versatile roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
However, with the team’s current logjam on the wing and a lack of depth in the frontcourt, more roster moves could be on the horizon. As Kenneth Teape of SI.com noted, “Since the Murray trade was announced, it has felt like another move would be coming down the pipeline. As currently constructed, the Pelicans have a major logjam on the wing and are lacking depth in the frontcourt.”
With Ryan now back in the fold, the Pelicans continue to build a roster capable of competing at the highest level under head coach Willie Green.
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