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New Orleans Pelicans Make Move on Former 1-Time Los Angeles Lakers Hero

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 4/14/24

The New Orleans Pelicans have decided on forward Matt Ryan. The team announced on Saturday that they have converted Ryan’s deal to a standard deal that makes him eligible to play in the playoffs in Pelicans uniform.

Roster Move: The #Pelicans have converted the contract of forward Matt Ryan to a standard NBA contract

Although Ryan isn’t a major contributor to the Pelicans, his outside shooting can play a crucial role for the team in the playoffs. In 27 games (one start) with New Orleans this season, Ryan has averaged 5.6 points while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 45.1 percent from behind the arc. He takes most of his shots from behind the arc, as shown by his high 80.5 percent 3-point attempt rate.

Perhaps Ryan is most known in the NBA for that one huge 3-pointer he drained during a game against — ironically — the Pelicans in the 2022-23 season when he was still donning Los Angeles Lakers colors. That buzzer-beating trey forced the game to go overtime and helped the Lakers eke out a 120-117 against his future team.

“The pass was clean, and the defense was just far enough away where I could get it off clean,” Ryan said after that game. “As a shooter, once you can get your feet down and you see the rim clean enough, that made it a lot easier.”

Ryan and the Pelicans will look to lock up the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference standings this Sunday when they take on the Lakers at home. The Pelicans just need to win that matchup versus LA to secure the No. 6 spot — or a loss by the Phoenix Suns to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Twin Cities, also this Sunday.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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