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Christmas in July: Indiana Pacers Trade 2nd Round Pick For Rakeem Christmas

By Ben Gibson

Mar 2, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Rakeem Christmas (25) attempts a shot with Virginia Cavaliers forward/center Mike Tobey (10) defending during the second half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Virginia won the game 59-47. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Rakeem Christmas (25) attempts a shot with Virginia Cavaliers forward/center Mike Tobey (10) defending during the second half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Virginia won the game 59-47. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indiana Pacers traded a 2019 2nd round draft pick for Cleveland Cavaliers power forward/center Rakeem Christmas.

The Pacers announced the trade in a press release on Thursday evening.

"The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have acquired forward Rakeem Christmas from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a 2019 second-round draft pick that the Pacers acquired in the recent trade for Roy Hibbert.Christmas, 6-9, 250, was a second-round pick in June’s NBA Draft. He was selected 36th overall by Minnesota and was traded later draft night to the Cavaliers. He played collegiately at Syracuse where in his senior season he averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. In his four-year career with the Orangemen, he played 142 games.“We really liked Rakeem when he came in for pre-draft workouts,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He is a solid player who was a contributor all four years at Syracuse and we look forward to having him on our team.”"

The Indiana Pacers looked at Christmas during their pre-draft workouts but the Minnesota Timberwolves selected him with the 36th overall pick before trading him to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pacers used the draft pick acquired in the Roy Hibbert trade to make the trade.

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In the Las Vegas Summer League Christmas averaged 8 points a game and 4.5 rebounds. As a senior at Syracuse the big man averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds a game while averaging 34.3 minutes.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN the trade may just be one move in a bigger scheme for the Cavaliers to move Brendan Haywood more easily. Cleveland is struggling to find a trade partner at the moment to move Haywood.

"The Cavs sent center Rakeem Christmas, the No. 36 overall pick in June’s draft, to the Pacers for the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2019 second-round pick, which is owned by Indiana. The trade gives the Cavs roster flexibility and an asset they can use to move Haywood and create a large trade exception in the next week.While a final decision hasn’t been reached, the Cavs have nearly come to the conclusion that they will not be able to find a suitable deal to use Haywood’s $10.52 million non-guaranteed contract, sources said."

The trade gives the Pacers more options at the center and power forward positions and Candace Buckner speculates that Indiana will use their D-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, to develop the younger players.

Next: Did Pacers Offseason Moves Make the Team Better?

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