The Lakers might be finally ready to make one of the moves everyone thinks the team should be making. At least, that might be the case if LA’s latest roster move is any indication.
The Lakers just waived one of their few sharpshooters, Matt Ryan, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Ryan was the Lakers’ best shooter and actually won the team a game earlier this season against the New Orleans Pelicans. He shot 37% from deep during his Lakers tenure, which was the second-best on the team only behind Austin Reeves’ 39%. It’s a puzzling move, to say the least.
But it starts to make a bit more sense when you consider what they could potentially do because of it.
The Lakers are waiving wing shooter Matt Ryan, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Ryan impressed in stint with L.A., shooting 38.2 percent from 3, including a clutch shot in win over Pelicans in November. The move opens up a roster spot for Lakers ahead of Dec. 15 trade date.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 1, 2022
It’s almost trade season across the NBA. In a couple of weeks on December 15, the players who signed with teams this past offseason will finally be eligible to be traded.
This move seems to be a move in preparation for that. They needed to open up a roster spot to bring in new talent and Matt Ryan was the cost. That’s just how the dice happened to roll here.
It doesn’t indicate who the Lakers may be targeting or what they’re even willing to give up. It just indicates that they are, indeed, looking to make a move and fill that spot.
But still. To give up your best shooter? That’s tough, man. Especially on what might be the worst shooting team in the NBA. Fans were so confused.
CLOWN SHOW
CLOWN SHOW
CLOWN SHOW
CLOWN SHOW https://t.co/uZhucwZNEN pic.twitter.com/U2UxLkIojo
— please fire joe woods right now (@mghtdltacctltr) December 1, 2022
WHHYYYYY??? We need shooters! I hate Rob Pelinka so much, y'all don't understand! https://t.co/gGaJDHIEXy pic.twitter.com/C7pUA7Vi8B
— NEEZY (@BeLikeNee) December 1, 2022
Now, why would they do that? https://t.co/pIcpBua4oq pic.twitter.com/TWkKC0jcLw
— Vegas In July (@VegasJuly) December 1, 2022
In fairness, this is only the Lakers' second quickest firing after a game this calendar year https://t.co/530hlF6AAq
— Corey Hansford (@TheeCoreyH) December 1, 2022
— Xavier Duya (@DuyaXavier) December 1, 2022
We see you rob pelinka https://t.co/K8WIgsahFJ pic.twitter.com/sIgku2N7BO
— Ferdinand (@livijoseph1997) December 1, 2022
Surely a trade on the way for the Lakers https://t.co/Q1shP3fRbI
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) December 1, 2022
I feel a trade coming https://t.co/0Iuq2evHfs pic.twitter.com/8sDWcMokT1
— T.M.RIOS (@TasiaMRios) December 1, 2022
