Matt Ryan delivers heartfelt message to LA Lakers after being waived off


Matt Ryan delivers heartfelt message to LA Lakers after being waived off

Matt Ryan

The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving Matt Ryan after their dominant win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The news of waiving Ryan broke out after Shams Charania from The Athletic confirmed the report. Ryan was a catch-and-shoot sharpshooter for the team. The Lakers acquired him from Boston Celtics this offseason. 

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Ryan had been shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc this season for the Lakers. Though he was playing very very limited minutes for the Lakers to prove himself worthy. Before playing alongside LeBron James and being acquired by the Lakers, Ryan delivered food for DoorDash and worked as a landscaper at a cemetery.

Earlier today, Ryan took to Twitter to confirm the news, as he penned down a heartfelt message to the Los Angeles and Laker fans. Ryan wrote, “Nothing but gratitude for the city of L.A. and the Lakers! Any opportunity to play in the NBA, let alone for this franchise is special. Thank you. Now I am excited for whatever is next!” 

Matt Ryan became the L.A. fan favorite after he hit the biggest shot for the Lakers this season. He hit the game-tying shot against the New Orleans Pelicans last month in the Crypto.com Arena, which the Lakers won in overtime. Though Ryan maintained a high percentage of shooting for the Lakers, he barely got enough time on the court for them.

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The Lakers might be getting ready for December 15 trade after waiving Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan

Along with Austin Reaves, even Wenyen Gabriel and Matt Ryan had a non-guaranteed contract with the Lakers so they could be removed from the roster at any given time harmlessly. Reaves has perhaps solidified his position on the roster and Gabriel has been using his minutes at a high level in the last few games. It was a no-brainer that Ryan would be waived if time demanded. 

One of the reasons that he got less time on the court was his defense. Ryan was a defensive liability on the court amidst the Lakers’ struggles in the season. However, amidst the trade rumors and the approaching December 15 when the teams will be able to trade their FAs, waiving Ryan raises a lot of questions. The Lakers can now sign two players for their roster, which makes a perfect scenario for signing Buddy Hield and Myles Turner while they make the trade for Russell Westbrook. 

More likely, the Lakers are waiving Ryan either to sign a different free agent to their roster or create roster flexibility before the trade market picks up. On Dec. 15, free agents who signed their contracts this offseason will be available to be traded, and as such, deals start to come in around then. An extra roster spot gives the Lakers a bit more flexibility on that front, though sadly, that flexibility comes at Ryan’s expense.

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