The Celtics acquired Tyler Zeller from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a salary dump that helped them sign Lebron James last summer. Zeller's overachievement as starting center helped the team make the playoffs but his contract expires at the end of the 2015-16 season. He’s extension eligible, however; along with fellow 2012 draft picks Jared Sullinger and Perry Jones, but the team only has until October 31 to come to terms with such a deal.
The necessity for Boston to get an extension done now became even more apparent in the wake of Toronto’s Jonas Valanciunas signing a 4-year, $64-million contract extension on August 20.