2015 NBA Draft picks: Rakeem Christmas going to Cleveland Cavaliers
He was taken No. 36 overall.
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Rakeem Christmas was taken with the No. 36 pick of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and will be traded to the Cavaliers as part of the Tyus Jones trade. He's the second Syracuse player to hear his name called Thursday night, along with former frontcourt mate Chris McCullough. The big man is coming off a dominant senior year at Syracuse.
Despite Syracuse's NCAA Tournament ban, Christmas put up big numbers in his final year, averaging 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 34.3 minutes per game. At 6'9, Christmas doesn't quite have the size to play the center position, but his breakout year -- he averaged just 5.8 and 5.1 rebounds per game as a junior -- showed that he was capable of playing in the NBA.
Christmas’ biggest issue is that he hasn’t proven he can shoot the ball from the deep. In a league placing an emphasis on big men who can stretch the court, Christmas doesn’t fit the bill. He took just one three-point shot in his collegiate career, and he missed it. He might never be an All-Star in the NBA, but if he can play like he did his senior year at Syracuse, he’ll be of service in the league.
In Christmas the Cavaliers get a talented forward who’s ready to play right away. Not only did Christmas put up big numbers last season at Syracuse, but he also impressed scouts at the NBA combine in Chicago. Talented players who also put up numbers in college are hard to find. Nabbing one in the second round is something Cleveland should be excited about.
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