Derrick Coleman's terrific second half of last season is turning out to be worth more than he ever could have hoped.

The 76ers' center/power forward has agreed to a new, 3-year contract that could be worth as much as $13.5 million, according to multiple sources. The deal, which is thought to start at $4.5 million, is said to include $11 million in guarantees.

Sixers' president/general manager Billy King is vacationing and was unavailable for comment.

Coleman, 36, averaged 9.4 points and 7.0 rebounds in 64 games last season, including 35 starts. He was at his best when he became the starting center after the NBA All-Star break; he averaged 13.6 points and 8.0 rebounds during the playoffs.

Coleman, who became an unrestricted free agent July 1, will give the Sixers 15 signed players, the maximum allowed on the active roster and injured list during the season. Willie Green and Kyle Korver, two second-round draft choices, have yet to sign.

Coleman, recently acquired Marc Jackson and holdover Samuel Dalembert - who did not play at all last season - are the team's primary big men. They also added free agent Amal McCaskill, primarily a forward, and still have deep sub Efthimios Rentzias.

The Sixers hoped to acquire Keon Clark from Sacramento when they completed their recent four-team trade in which they acquired Jackson from Minnesota and Glenn Robinson from Atlanta. But Minnesota declined to take Rentzias' contract.