REPORT: Knicks linked to Matt Ryan in attempt to bolster depth

New York needs long-range shooting and this native could provide it in bunches.

The New York Knicks are looking for reinforcements to strengthen their rotation in the early days of the regular season and the franchise is eyeing free-agent sharpshooter Matt Ryan to help fill their roster.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Knicks have “serious interest” in signing Ryan, who was waived by the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this month.

Appearing on NBA Today ahead of the Knicks’ season opener in Boston, Charania dropped the news of the potential partnership between the sharpshooter and the NYC organization.

“I’m told that one player that they have serious interest in signing (is) Matt Ryan.

“You think about Landry Shamet, they lost him for an extended period of time, just a brutal dislocated shoulder for him in the preseason. He’s out, they waived him, obviously.

“So they need that position. That shooter position is something they badly need.” — Shams Charania

With only 12 players on standard contracts, New York is required to add two more players by November 5 to meet NBA roster requirements. Ryan’s ability to provide floor spacing and three-point shooting—something Landry Shamet was expected to provide the Knicks with—off the bench makes him a perfect option for New York to have around if only for the next few weeks.

Shortly after Charania’s report, SNY’s Ian Begley noted the veracity of it by posting a message on X himself confirming the Knicks’ long-time interest in the former Pelicans sniper.

According to Begley, the Knicks had already explored the possibility of adding Ryan throughout the preseason before Shamet went down injured, which makes it doubly possible that they go for him with their former guard out for a while.

“Prior to Landry Shamet injury, Matt Ryan had been on Knicks radar as a potential two-way player if/when they cleared a two-way spot, per sources.”

“Ryan, a sharpshooter & former Iona Prep HS star, remains on NYK’s radar as a potential free agent addition, as ESPN earlier reported.” — Ian Begley.

Ryan, a 27-year-old forward, is known for his shooting prowess, having made 41.1% of his three-point attempts over 63 career NBA games.

Last season, he was particularly effective from beyond the arc, knocking down 45.1% of his threes in 28 games with the Pelicans hoisting 3.3 3PA per game.

Ryan also has NBA experience as a member of the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Take it for what you want, but it’s also worth noting that Ryan was born in White Plains, New York and attended Iona Prep in New Rochelle, just a short distance from the Knicks’ practice facility in Tarrytown. I guess everything counts when it comes to convincing potential employees to join your organization.

By bringing in Ryan on a non-guaranteed deal, the Knicks could fill one of the two required roster spots still open in their roster without overcommitting financially.

Another option widely discussed leading up to the regular season is for the Knicks to convert Hukporti’s two-way contract into a standard deal, which is still expected to happen at some point in the next few days.

If (when) New York does that and promotes Hukporti to the main roster, then adding Ryan (or whoever other free-agent man on a non-guaranteed deal), would help the Knicks satisfy the NBA roster requirements before the aforementioned November deadline.