In a bold move that has NBA fans buzzing, the New York Knicks have signed former Boston Celtics forward Matt Ryan to an Exhibit 10 deal, throwing him into a fierce training camp battle for a coveted roster spot. The 28-year-old sharpshooter, who briefly donned the Celtics’ green in 2022 during their NBA Finals run, now joins a growing list of ex-Celtics vying for a place on New York’s roster as they gear up for the upcoming season.
Ryan’s journey in the NBA has been a whirlwind. After appearing in just one game for Boston, he’s bounced around the league, suiting up for the Lakers, Timberwolves, and Pelicans over the past three seasons. Despite limited minutes—logging only 68 minutes across 19 games with the Knicks last season—Ryan has proven his worth as a deadly 3-point marksman, boasting an impressive 40.2 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc. However, his defensive limitations have restricted him to just 82 career appearances, making this training camp a critical opportunity to cement his place in the league.
The Knicks’ training camp is shaping up to be a battleground, with Ryan joining fellow former Celtics Guerschon Yabusele and Malcolm Brogdon in the fight for a spot. Yabusele, who signed a two-year deal using a portion of the mid-level exception, and Brogdon, on an Exhibit 9 contract, add to the star-studded competition. With veterans like Landry Shamet, Garrison Matthews, and Alex Len also in the mix, the Knicks have six players vying for just three open spots on their 15-man roster. The odds are steep, but Ryan has a fallback: if he doesn’t make the cut but joins the Knicks’ G-League affiliate for 90 days, he’ll pocket an $85,000 bonus.
New York’s front office is keeping its options open. With the possibility of leaving a roster spot vacant or making a trade to clear cap space, the Knicks face tough decisions to stay under the first apron while potentially adding two veteran minimum contracts. As training camp looms, all eyes will be on Ryan and his fellow competitors, each bringing their unique skills to a Knicks squad hungry for depth and versatility.