When the Los Angeles Lakers brought in forward Matt Ryan to compete for their final roster spot, some were hopeful but not necessarily expecting him to do well, let alone actually make the roster.
Ryan struggled early in the preseason schedule, but on Sunday versus the Golden State Warriors, he busted out by getting blisteringly hot and going 6-of-9 from 3-point range.
The Lakers badly need accurate 3-point shooting, as well as viable depth at both forward positions, and the 6-foot-7, 215-pound Ryan appears to be capable of helping to fill both needs.
As a result, he has officially made their final roster.
Lakers’ G/F Matt Ryan has made the team’s current opening night roster, as the team won’t waive him by today’s roster cut deadline, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Ryan shot 37.5 percent from 3-point land in preseason – including 20-point performance with six 3s last Sunday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 15, 2022
Ryan didn’t shoot well in his last two exhibition contests, as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings looked to stick to him like glue. But it’s that type of gravity the Lakers need from their role players in order to open up things for men such as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Kendrick Nunn.
