Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Ryan has been released by his last team, the New Orleans Pelicans, sources say. Shams Charania of Athletic and StadiumRyan played briefly for the Lakers, during the Lakers’ ill-fated start to the 2022-23 season, his first under former head coach Darvin Ham.
The 27-year-old, 6-foot-6 winger is now a free agent.
Ryan had a storied NCAA career, bouncing from Notre Dame to Vanderbilt before eventually finishing his career at Chattanooga, where he was named to the All-Southern Conference second team. He went undrafted in 2020, during the height of the pre-vaccine COVID-19 pandemic. He struggled to find a home in the G League, instead taking odd jobs at DoorDash, UberEats and a cemetery so he could remain available should an opportunity arise.
The following season, Ryan joined the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2021 NBA Summer League team, impressing scouts enough to earn him a roster spot with the Denver Nuggets’ G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold. In 16 regular season games for the Grand Rapids Gold in 2021–22, Ryan averaged 18.6 points on a .426/.385/.964 hitting line, along with 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.8 steals per night.
In February of that season, Ryan signed with the Boston Celtics on a two-way contract, appearing in only one regular season game for Boston. As his contract was not converted to a standard 15-player contract, Ryan was unable to play for the Celtics during their run to the 2022 NBA Finals.
Ryan then joined the Lakers and, thanks to his 37.5 percent three-point shooting in the preseason, was drafted with the 15th and final spot on the club’s standard roster. LA released him in December. He signed a two-way contract later that year with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ryan signed another two-way contract with New Orleans at the start of the 2023-24 season, but that deal was converted to a standard contract that spring.
In three NBA seasons with four teams, Ryan has appeared in 63 regular-season games (including one start), averaging 4.4 points and hitting .398/.411/.885 with 1.0 rebound and 0.5 assists. He has a 41.1 percent three-point shooting percentage and 2.9 triple attempts per game. He has only appeared in one playoff game in his career, for the Pelicans last season.
More Lakers: Can Los Angeles’ JJ Redick claim Coach of the Year honors in his rookie season?
