Report: Pacers, Rakeem Christmas agree to 4-year, $4.5M deal
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The Indiana Pacers have agreed to terms with Rakeem Christmas on a four-year deal worth $4.5 million, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Chris Haynes.
The first two years of his contract will be guaranteed.
The 23-year-old Christmas - chosen 36th overall in 2015 - was acquired by the Pacers in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday for a 2019 second-round pick.
The move was reportedly designed to land Cleveland a pick they could use in a possible deal involving veteran center Brendan Haywood and the remaining $10.52 million on his contract.
Christmas put up modest numbers with the Cavaliers' Summer League squad during a four-game stint, averaging 8 points, 4.5 boards, and 1.8 rejections in 21 minutes.
Getting two guaranteed years - which is rare for a second-rounder - shows the Pacers have confidence in his abilities. Christmas is large enough to play either the 4 or 5, giving head coach Frank Vogel options in the frontcourt. His offensive game needs fine-tuning, but he can pull down rebounds and protect the rim with his 7-foot-5 wingspan.