National Basketball Association

Magic, young center Nikola Vucevic agree to 4-year, $54 million extension

Published Oct. 21, 2014 8:53 p.m. ET

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic have agreed to terms on a four-year, $54 million contract extension with center Nikola Vucevic. News and details of the extension were first reported Tuesday night by Yahoo Sports.

The Magic had until Oct. 31 to reach an extension and keep the 6-foot-11 Vucevic from becoming a restricted free agent next summer, when he would have been one of the NBA's top big men available. They have the same deadline to lock up forward Tobias Harris in similar fashion.

Vucevic, who turns 24 on Friday, missed almost a third of the 2013-14 season with an assortment of injuries that included a concussion. But he has averaged 13.6 points and 11.5 rebounds during his first two seasons with the Magic, including six games with at least both 20 points and 20 rebounds.

He finished fourth in the voting for the league's Most Improved Player award in his first season after being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers to replace Dwight Howard.

"I think I made strides last year compared to my first year with the Magic," he said before the start of training camp. "So I just want to get better."

Vucevic will make $2.9 million in the final year of his contract this season before making an average of $13.3 million per season in his new deal.

You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.

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