In a move that’s sure to raise eyebrows in Boston, the New York Knicks have doubled down on their raid of former Celtics talent, signing sharpshooting wing Matt Ryan to a training camp contract, as reported by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. The buzz around Ryan’s potential move to New York was first sparked by Ian Begley of SNY TV, and now the Knicks have made it official. This marks the second time this offseason that the Knicks have plucked a player with Celtics ties, following their recent signing of guard Malcolm Brogdon. For a franchise locked in a historic rivalry with Boston, these moves feel like a calculated jab.
Matt Ryan, who briefly donned the green and white for the Celtics during the 2021-22 season, is no stranger to the Knicks organization. He spent time with New York last year, but his NBA journey began in Boston, where he played just one regular-season game. Despite limited action with the Celtics’ main roster, Ryan left a lasting impression in the G League with the Maine Celtics and made waves in the Summer League with a dramatic half-court game-winner. Now, as he continues to carve out his place in the NBA, the Knicks offer a fresh opportunity for the 28-year-old to shine.
Ryan’s calling card has always been his deadly three-point shooting. From his clutch Summer League heroics to a game-tying triple for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 season, he’s proven time and again that he can light it up from deep. Over his four-year NBA career, Ryan has appeared in 82 games across multiple teams, including the Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Knicks. In those games, he’s averaged 3.7 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 9.4 minutes per contest, shooting an impressive 40.2% from beyond the arc on 2.4 attempts per game.
His G League stats paint an even clearer picture of his potential. Across 53 career games in the G League, Ryan has averaged 17.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 31.1 minutes per game. His shooting efficiency remains stellar, with a 43.9% field goal percentage and a 39.5% clip from three on a hefty 9.4 attempts per game. These numbers highlight why Ryan is more than just a training camp flyer—he’s a proven marksman who could add serious value to the Knicks’ rotation.
The Knicks’ decision to bring Ryan back into the fold makes perfect sense. New York’s roster is stacked with guards like Brogdon and Landry Shamet, but their wing depth is thinner, particularly when it comes to reliable outside shooting. Ryan’s ability to stretch the floor with his long-range accuracy could provide a much-needed spark off the bench, especially in a rotation that lacks shooting at the wing position. His experience across multiple NBA stops shows he’s adaptable, and his knack for delivering in clutch moments suggests he’s unafraid of the bright lights at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks’ back-to-back signings of former Celtics players—first Brogdon, now Ryan—carry an extra layer of intrigue given the heated rivalry between the two franchises. While it’s unlikely New York is signing these players solely to troll their rivals, the optics are undeniable. By giving Ryan a chance to prove himself in orange and blue, the Knicks are not only bolstering their roster but also sending a message: talent knows no loyalty to rivalries. If Ryan can translate his G League and Summer League success to consistent NBA minutes, this move could prove to be a steal for New York—and a subtle snub to Boston.
As training camp looms, all eyes will be on Matt Ryan to see if he can secure a spot on the Knicks’ final roster. With his sharpshooting prowess and a chip on his shoulder, he’s got the tools to make a case. For a team looking to make noise in the Eastern Conference, Ryan could be the unexpected X-factor that pushes New York’s rotation to the next level.