Cavs send Christmas to Pacers for future draft pick

The pick the Lakers surrendered for Roy Hibbert is headed to Cleveland.

Pacers President Larry Bird said the team liked the 6-foot-9 Christmas when he worked out for them before the draft.

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

Christmas started four games for the Cavaliers during the Las Vegas summer league tournament and averaged 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds. Cleveland’s second-round pick it acquired in the deal will come in 2019. “He is a solid player who was a contributor all four years at Syracuse and we look forward to having him on our team”. He was a four-year starter at Syracuse. On draft night, the Minnesota Timberwolves chose Christmas with the No. 36 selection and traded his rights to Cleveland.

The Syracuse alum forced his way into the draft conversation after a big senior season with the Orange in which he averaged 17.5 points per game and 9.1 rebounds.

After weeks of wondering when – or even if – the Cavaliers are going to trade Brendan Haywood, the team has made a move that might be set up a deal.

According to Northeast Ohio Media Group’s Chris Haynes, the Pacers and Christmas have agreed on a four-year, $4.5 million deal, with the first two years guaranteed.

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