THE The New Orleans Pelicans are parting ways with Matt Ryan, one of the Pelicans’ most efficient three-point shooters, according to Stadium’s Sham Charania and The Athletic. An unexpected move will open a spot on the list for the new New Orleans recruit while keeping the 15th and final roster spot open.
“Sources: The New Orleans Pelicans are parting ways with wing Matt Ryan. Ryan averaged 5.4 points and shot 45.1 percent from three-point range in 13 minutes per game over 28 games for the Pelicans last season,” Charania posted on X, formerly Twitter. He added: “Ryan averaged nine points and shot 50 percent from three-point range in the first month of last season in New Orleans. With his release, the Pelicans have cleared a roster spot for Javonte Green and left the 15th spot open.”
Matt Ryan’s outside touch finally came back down to earth in 2023-24, settling in at 45.1 percent on the season on 3.3 attempts from behind the arc per game. From his 2.2 attempts on 38.8 percent shooting from behind the arc, 2023-24 was a significant increase in attempts for Ryan as he honed his efficiency in the best shooting campaign of his four-year career.
With the kind of growth he’s made so far in his NBA career, Ryan won’t be a free agent for very long, as it’s difficult to get a 3-point shot at 45% or better.
Tuesday, Javonte Green signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract He averaged 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in 25.6 minutes in nine games with the Chicago Bulls last season.
Are the Pelicans interested in Brandon Ingram for a blockbuster trade?
After negotiating for Dejounte Murray joins Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans are expected to pay about $2.5 million in luxury taxes this season. Because of this and because Ingram is entering the final year of his five-year, $158.2 million contract, many are speculating that New Orleans could look to buy Ingram a new home.
That new home could be the Utah Jazz, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, who connected Ingram to A successful business proposition for three teams with the Brooklyn Nets. Here’s how it goes:
Jazz gets:
- Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)
- Day’Ron Sharpe (Nets)
Pelicans get:
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- Cameron Johnson (by the Nets)
- Walker Kessler (by Jazz)
- $13.5 million commercial exception (Ingram)
The nets obtain:
- John Collins (by Jazz)
- Brice Sensabaugh (by Jazz)
- 2025 First Round Pick
In addition to the cap restrictions, which could allow Ingram to make a salary close to the cap next summer, Pincus said the deal would address the Pelicans’ lack of protection. Adding a young center in Kessler, who makes $7.9 million over the next two seasons, to replace Jonas Valanciunas and complete a $13.5 million trade exception would help the franchise improve its payroll in the near future.
