Inside The Celtics

Pelicans Re-Sign Former Celtics Forward Days After Waiving Him

Bobby Krivitsky

Oct 25, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Matt Ryan (37) reacts after a basket during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Matt Ryan (37) reacts after a basket during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

On Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans trimmed their roster in a financially driven maneuver that moved them just $1.6 million over the luxury tax. The tax distribution to teams that don't cross that threshold is a projected record high of $18.2M.

But despite waiving Matt Ryan at the start of last weekend while still satisfying the league minimum of having 14 players signed to standard contracts, New Orleans brought the six-foot-six sharpshooter back on board on Monday, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Matt Ryan (37) attempts a shot with pressure from Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1).
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

In 28 appearances with the Pelicans last regular season, including one start, Ryan averaged 5.4 points and knocked down 45.1 percent of his 3.3 attempts from three-point range.

That earned him a new three-year, $6.1 million contract in late April. However, while they guaranteed his $1.5 million deal for the 2023-24 campaign, his $2.2 million salary for 2024-25 wasn't set to become guaranteed until the first day of the upcoming regular season.

Ryan now returns on a restructured one-year agreement.

The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish standout finished the 2021-22 season with the Celtics, appearing in one regular season game and getting into a playoff tilt during their Finals run that year.

The three-year veteran is a 41.1 percent three-point shooter, producing 4.4 points per contest for his career.

Further Reading

Evaluating Oshae Brissett's Best Options in Free Agency

Latest Report Pours Cold Water on Idea of Jeff Bezos Buying Celtics

Top 5 Games on Celtics' 2024-25 Schedule

Sam Hauser Grateful for Extension with Team That Gave Him His First Chance

Brad Stevens Shares Encouraging Rehab Update on Kristaps Porzingis

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About 'Challenging and Humbling' Olympic Experience

Here's What to Know about Jaylen Brown's Boston XChange

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

Published |Modified
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

Home/Top Stories