The Pelicans have waived both guards Matt Ryan and Adonis Arms, according to the NBA’s official transaction log (hat tip to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype).
Both players were on non-guaranteed training camp contracts, so the Pelicans will incur no penalty for waiving them.
Ryan being waived is interesting. The three-point marksman was an instrumental reserve for New Orleans at times last season, averaging 5.4 points while shooting 45.1% from deep. He was originally on a two-way with the Timberwolves before the 2023/24 season, but was waived in October of last year before being claimed by the Pelicans.
His strong play parlayed into a standard contract in April of last year. However, he was waived from his standard deal before it was guaranteed in August after the team signed Javonte Green. Not wanting to cross the tax line, it seems as though the Pelicans are primed to begin the year with 14 players on standard contracts with all three of their two-way slots filled. It was intriguing, then, when Ryan was brought back on an Exhibit 9 contract. Presumably, the Pelicans wanted to allow Ryan to the chance to compete for a spot on the standard roster. Now, Ryan is being waived again and will be subject to being claimed.
Keith Langlois of Pistons.com speculates Detroit could be a landing spot for Ryan if he winds back up on an NBA roster this season (Twitter link). New Pistons general manager Trajan Langdon was GM for New Orleans last season, claiming Ryan last October. The Pistons are also first in waiver order if they choose to put in a claim for him and they have an open spot on their 15-man roster while being comfortably below the tax line.
Because Ryan was signed to an Exhibit 9 deal that didn’t include Exhibit 10 language, he’s not eligible for a bonus if he were to join the Pelicans’ G League affiliate Birmingham Squadron. Ryan holds career averages of 4.4 points on 41.1% shooting from three in 63 career appearances with the Pels, Wolves, Lakers and Celtics.
As for Arms, the Pelicans signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal at the beginning of the month. The plan is presumably for him to suit up for the Squadron, where he will be eligible for a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he spends at least 60 days in Birmingham.
Arms went undrafted last season after attending Texas Tech. He played for the Memphis Hustle last season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He was impressive in Summer League this season, averaging 20.7 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Kings.
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