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Report: Zeller likely to get extension offer from Celtics

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics are likely to offer center Tyler Zeller a contract extension before the season starts, according to CSN New England's A. Sherrod Blakely.

Zeller, having completed his third NBA season, is eligible for an extension this offseason, but if a deal with the Celtics is not reached by Oct. 31, he will become a restricted free agent next summer.

Zeller, who was traded to the Celtics from the Cleveland Cavaliers last summer, was effective in his first season in Boston, posting career highs in points per game (10.2) and field goal percentage (54.9), and matching his career high in rebounds (5.7). Based on this summer's spending activity, that sort of production has been deemed worthy of between $9 million and $12 million per season.

While that number sounds high for Zeller, it could prove to be a bargain given next year's salary cap spike. It may also behoove Zeller to take a Celtics offer now. The team has a more crowded frontcourt with the offseason additions of David Lee and Amir Johnson, making last year's statistics tougher to replicate.

Last fall, Tristan Thompson turned down the Cavaliers' offer, and he remains a restricted free agent.

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