The Pacers waived forward Rakeem Christmas on Thursday, league sources told VigilantSports.com.
Originally, Christmas’ salary for the 2017-18 season ($1.1 million) became guaranteed if he was not waived by July 1. However, sources said Christmas agreed to move it back to July 6, to the end of the Orlando Summer League.
The Pacers concluded summer league play Thursday afternoon and finished in third place by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 89-80. Christmas, who’s 25, was limited to just two games due to a left ankle sprain suffered one week ago.
He played just over 29 minutes total in two of the five games, and averaged 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He made 6 of 10 field goals.
Christmas was drafted early in the second round — 36th overall — in 2015 by the Minnesota Timberwolves with his rights then traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pacers then acquired him in exchange for the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2019 second-round pick that they received for Roy Hibbert.
Christmas spent the majority of the 2015-16 season in Fort Wayne with the Mad Ants. He appeared in 25 Pacers games last season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
The Pacers drafted 6-foot-10 forwards T.J. Leaf (18th) and Ike Anigbogu (47th) in last month’s draft, then acquired 6-10 Domantas Sabonis (and guard Victor Oladipo) in a trade with Oklahoma City for Paul George.
The Pacers’ roster stands at 14, including Edmond Sumner’s two-way contract.
Rakeem Christmas posted this on Snapchat Thursday afternoon.
The journey continues…
— Rakeem Christmas (@R_Xmas25) July 6, 2017