Report: Cleveland Cavaliers to deal Brendan Haywood

The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly executed a minor trade with the Indiana Pacers with a view to setting up a larger deal for Brendan Haywood.

The Cavs sent Rakeem Christmas to the Pacers for a 2019 second-round pick owned by the Los Angeles Lakers.

The trade gives Cleveland more roster flexibility and an asset that they can use to move Haywood and create a large trade exception next week, according to ESPN.

Cleveland are facing historic luxury-tax penalties this season, with LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert all signing big-money contracts.