Report: Kemba Walker, Hornets reach four-year, $48 million extension

The Charlotte Hornets and guard Kemba Walker have reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year, $48 million contract extension.

The Charlotte Hornets and point guard Kemba Walker have agreed to terms on a four-year, $48 million contract extension, reports Marc Stein of ESPN. 

The extension will begin with the 2015-16 season, reports Stein. The two sides needed to finalize a deal by Friday to avoid Walker becoming a restricted free agent in July. 

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The Hornets (then the Bobcats) chose Walker in the first round of the 2011 draft out of Connecticut. He's spent three seasons in Charlotte, and averaged 17.7 points per game in each of the last two seasons. The 24-year-old also averaged 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 2013-14. 

Over the summer, the Hornets signed shooting guard Lance Stephensonto a three-year, $27 million deal. 

Charlotte opens the 2014-15 season on Wednesday by hosting the Milwaukee Bucks. 

- Molly Geary