The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a minor move, which is seen as part of a bigger trade that may involve Brendan Haywood.
The Cavs sent Rakeem Christmas to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a 2019 second round draft pick that is actually owed to the Los Angeles Lakers, a transaction that should help out the Cavs in increasing a larger trade exception deal, which could include Brendan Haywood.
Other than that, the departure of Christmas could be to make room for incoming recruit Richard Jefferson and possibly Sasha Kaun if he and the Cavs can come to an agreement.
Christmas was the 36th overall draft pick of the recent draft by the Cavs and has already agreed to a four-year pact with the Pacers where only the first two seasons are guaranteed.
But the meat of the trade is reportedly tied up with the Cavs main intent of unloading Haywood, whose $10.5 million contract is something the team wants to get rid of.
Haywood has reportedly garnered interest from other clubs such as the Brooklyn Nets who may be shipping Joe Johnson in return.
Aside from the Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers, and the Los Angeles Lakers are likewise interested in the 35-year-old seven-footer, although nothing has materialized.
It may be interesting to see why the Sixers would be suddenly interested in Haywood, although the team could be looking for veteran leadership and mentorship from the long-time center.
The Blazers are obviously trying to fill up the void left by LaMarcus Aldridge who brought his act to San Antonio while the Lakers could be dangling multiple players led by Nick Young in exchange for Haywood.
Even though these multiple possibilities are on the table, the Cavs have yet to make their final decision on where to deal Haywood and save themselves the trouble of paying hefty luxury tax penalties.
