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Report: Celtics, Zeller agree to 2-year, $16M deal

Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Boston Celtics are bringing back restricted free-agent center Tyler Zeller on a two-year deal worth $16 million, according to The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett.

The second season will be a team option.

Boston extended Zeller a $3.7-million qualifying offer in June, thus making him a restricted free agent, allowing the team to match any offer sheets.

The 26-year-old big man has been with the organization the past two seasons, averaging 8.4 points and 4.5 rebounds on 52.6 percent shooting over 142 games.

His strongest campaign came in 2014-15 when he started 59 games for the 40-42 Celtics, putting up a career-high 10.2 points and grabbing 5.7 boards.

The North Carolina product will continue to come off the bench like last year as a result of All-Star Al Horford coming aboard on a reported four-year, $113-million contract. The departure of backup Jared Sullinger to the Toronto Raptors should free up some minutes in the frontcourt rotation, allowing Zeller more of an opportunity to see the floor behind Horford and even Amir Johnson.

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