The New Orleans Pelicans have made the strategic decision to waive wing shooter Matt Ryan, as reported by Shams Charania. Ryan, known for his three-point shooting ability, averaged 5.4 points per game and shot an impressive 45.1 percent from beyond the arc in just 13 minutes per game over 28 appearances last season.
Sources: The New Orleans Pelicans are waiving wing shooter Matt Ryan. Ryan averaged 5.4 points and shot 45.1 percent from 3-point range in 13 minutes a night over 28 games for Pelicans last season. pic.twitter.com/gbc2bZCRkK
The Pelicans initially acquired Ryan off waivers from the Minnesota Timberwolves last October, converting his two-way contract into a standard deal late in the season to make him eligible for the playoffs. Despite his shooting abilities, Ryan’s three-year contract, which included a substantial end-of-season payout for the 2023-24 campaign, was non-guaranteed for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. By releasing him, the Pelicans avoid any dead-money cap hit, allowing for greater financial flexibility moving forward.
This move comes as the Pelicans continue to refine their roster in preparation for the upcoming season. With the recent addition of forward Jervante Green, New Orleans had 15 players on standard contracts, 13 of which were guaranteed. By waiving Ryan, they are now down to 14 players, with only Jose Alvarado holding a non-guaranteed deal. The decision to part ways with Ryan underscores the team’s focus on optimizing their roster to enhance depth and maintain cap space.
