Indiana Pacers: A Look at the Newest Players
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
Rakeem Christmas
Last team: Cleveland Cavaliers – Drafted 36th overall by Minnesota
Strength: Rebounding/Size
Rakeem Christmas was originally drafted by the Timberwolves before having his rights traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Tyus Jones trade. Though he has only been featured for his most recent performance in the Summer League averaging 8 points and 4.5 boards a game. At 6’9, 250 lbs, Christmas isn’t the biggest player on the floor but has size and athleticism that will help him succeed at this level. He was acquired in a trade with Cleveland for the Pacers second-round pick they received when they dealt Hibbert to the Lakers. He was named to the 2015 All-ACC team at Syracuse and will now try to crack a Pacers roster desperate for mobile bigs.
Chase Budinger
Last team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Strength: Shooting
Budinger is one of the more interesting names brought in by the Indiana Pacers and Larry Bird this offseason. The Arizona grad was traded earlier this month for Damjan Rudez straight-up, and there were more than a few Pacers fans unhappy to see the underrated Croatian leave the city. Budinger has struggled with injuries recently and up until the trade was looking for a team to give him the minutes he needed to get his fitness back. Now that team is the Indiana Pacers, but the fitness part is still up in the air. If Budinger gets his legs back and his shot down pat, he will get some time for Pacers. If not, it’s another low-risk, low-reward scenario that simply didn’t pay off.