Speights, the No. 16 pick in the NBA's June draft, signed his first contract with the 76ers, guaranteeing him at least $2,667,400 over two seasons, plus options for two more via the rookie salary scale.

By the rules of the collective-bargaining agreement, a team can go up a maximum of 20 percent from the prescribed scale.

The 6-10 Speights, from the University of Florida, averaged 18.2 points and team bests of 10.2 rebounds and 11 blocks in five games in the Las Vegas summer league. Speights was the team's No. 2 scorer, behind second-year man Thaddeus Young, at 18.8.

Andre Iguodala, one of the Sixers' two restricted free agents, watched Speights play in Vegas and said on his blog that "he's better than I thought."

Miller, arguably the Sixers' most valuable player last season, said on the Sixers' Web site he was excited about the addition of free-agent forward Elton Brand.

"I think it's great that Elton Brand chose to sign with us," Miller said. "The way we came together at the end of last year was the first step, and adding one of the best power forwards in the league shows that we aren't satisfied with just making the playoffs.

"I really think we can do great things this year, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Miller, perhaps the best point guard in the Eastern Conference last season, has a year remaining on his contract at $10 million. Brand left the Los Angeles Clippers to accept a 5-year, $79.8 million contract with the Sixers.

More on Iguodala

"I made a commitment to participate, so I will be there going through drill work," he said. *