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Cody Zeller agrees to $56M extension with Hornets

Cody Zeller was the fourth overall pick in 2013. (Getty Images)
Cody Zeller was the fourth overall pick in 2013. (Getty Images)

Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Zeller has agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract extension.

Zeller’s talks extended into Monday night and a deal was reached within two hours of the midnight ET deadline for extensions for the 2013 NBA draft class.

Zeller, 24, has been a solid performer for the Hornets, who have re-signed draft picks Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to extensions in successive years.

The deal allows Zeller to bypass restricted free agency next summer and stay with a coach, Steve Clifford, for whom he enjoys playing and a franchise of which he’s grown extremely fond.

Zeller was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft and joins his former Indiana Hoosiers teammate, Oklahoma City’s Victor Oladipo (four years, $84 million), in reaching contract extensions Monday.

Zeller started 60 games a season ago, averaging 8.7 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. He’s an anchor of the franchise’s frontcourt with Kidd-Gilchrist and center Roy Hibbert.

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