Pacers acquire Christmas from Cavs for future draft pick
CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers have traded second-round pick Rakeem Christmas to the Indiana Pacers for a second-round selection in 2019.
The Cavs selected Christmas, who averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebound as a senior at Syracuse, with the No. 36 overall pick last month. He appeared in four summer league games for the Cavs in Las Vegas, averaging 8.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 20.9 minutes.
Pacers President Larry Bird said the team liked the 6-foot-9 Christmas when he worked out for them before the draft.
Christmas was thought to have a shot at making Cleveland's roster for next season, but Cavs general manager David Griffin decided instead to acquire a future asset for him.
The Pacers had acquired the second-round pick in their trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for center Roy Hibbert.
