Pelicans Convert Forward Matt Ryan To Standard Contract

The sharpshooting forward is eligible to play in the playoffs now.

New Orleans has officially finalized its 15-man roster for the playoffs by converting forward Matt Ryan's contract to a standard contract. The Pelicans signed the sharpshooter to a two-way contract in October, after claiming the 6-7 forward off waivers. Ryan has appeared in 27 games this season, starting one game and averaging 5.6 points on 45% shooting from deep.

The former undrafted forward out of Chattanooga went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft before bouncing around the NBA and the G League. Ryan made stops with the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves before settling with the Pelicans at the start of the year. Ryan will be eligible to play in the playoffs for the Pelicans due to his contract conversion.

New Orleans is fighting to avoid the Play-In Tournament for the third straight year. They hold the No. 6 seed in the West, just a game ahead of the Phoenix Suns. A win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday assures the Pelicans retain that spot, but a loss to the Lakers and a win by the Phoenix Suns gives the Suns the sixth seed because of their tiebreaker over New Orleans.