Christmas in July: Pacers get forward from Cavs


Mar 2, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Rakeem Christmas (25) handles the ball during the first half of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
As a senior at Syracuse last season, Christmas averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers acquired rookie forward Rakeem Christmas from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday in exchange for a 2019 second-round draft pick.

The Pacers used a pick recently acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in the deal for center Roy Hibbert to obtain Christmas.

The 6-foot-9 Christmas was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round in the NBA Draft last month and then traded on draft night to the Cavaliers.

As a senior at Syracuse last season, Christmas averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

“We really liked Rakeem when he came in for pre-draft workouts,” Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird said. “He is a solid player who was a contributor all four years at Syracuse and we look forward to having him on our team.”