BOSTON — The Knicks are interested in a local product to fill a roster spot.
Matt Ryan, a 27-year-old free agent forward with a high 3-point percentage, is being strongly considered by New York State, officials confirmed.
Ryan, recently released by the Pelicans, spent his high school years at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, about 10 miles from the Knicks' practice facility in Tarrytown, and has played for four different NBA teams.
The Knicks opened Tuesday against the Celtics, who need to fill two roster spots over the next few days.
They were scheduled to start Landry Shamet, but the veteran guard dislocated his shoulder during the preseason and was released Sunday.
Ryan's strength, like Shamet's, is shooting. He knocked down 45 percent of his treys in 28 games with the Pelicans last season and even hit three minutes in the playoffs.
Ryan attended three universities: Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and Chattanooga before going undrafted in 2020.
At 6-foot-6, he could fill the spot vacated by Shamet, who was eyeing a rotation minutes before his injury. Shamet is aiming to return this season without surgery, but officials said re-signing with the Knicks is not a near certainty.
As the Julius Randle saga last season proved, recovering from a dislocated shoulder is difficult. Other free agents on the market include Lonnie Walker IV, Marcus Morris Sr. and Justin Holiday.
Given their salary cap situation, the Knicks are expected to convert one of their second-round rookies to a standard contract, with Ariel Hukporti being the top choice.
As for the rotation, the Knicks are excited about the development of 19-year-old rookie Pacome Dadiette, who impressed in his preseason minutes, according to SNY.
ESPN first reported the Knicks' “strong” interest in Ryan.
OG Anunoby scored a great game-tying goal for the Knicks last season.
If he had played, they probably would have won. Anunoby set a record for plus-minus statistics.
But like the rest of the Knicks, who suffered a blowout 132-109 loss to the Celtics on Tuesday, Anunoby's time on the court correlated with the deficit on the scoreboard.
The Knicks trailed by 21 points in 34 minutes, but Anunoby spent most of it guarding Jaylen Brown, scoring 23 points in 30 minutes, including 5 of 9 from 3-point land.
Anunoby, who recently signed the largest contract in Knicks history for $212 million, fought back with four points on 1-of-7 shooting.
