AROUND THE NBA

After negotiations that included pleading phone calls from a stretch limousine, a trek through a snowstorm and a gift from hockey goaltender Patrick Roy, Antonio McDyess finally signed with the Denver Nuggets.

McDyess, one of the NBA’s most sought-after power forwards, signed a six-year, $67.5-million contract, concluding a wild 24 hours that introduced the 24-year-old to the wonders of free agency.

“My thing was not being pressured,” McDyess said, “just go out and make my own decision.”

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Although it took 24 hours longer than anticipated, the Houston Rockets finally got Scottie Pippen’s name on a five-year, $67.2-million contract.

“It was like tag-team praying,” Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.

“I’d sleep for an hour and then [Vice President Robert Barr) would wake me up and I’d pray. This is like a dream come true.”

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The Sacramento Kings signed free-agent center Vlade Divac to a six-year, $62.5-million contract and re-signed small forward Corliss Williamson to a one-year deal reportedly worth $500,000.

Power forward Chris Webber also joined the team after skipping Thursday night’s opening practice. Webber was traded to the Kings in May for Mitch Richmond.

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The Vancouver Grizzlies have signed free agent Cherokee Parks and three draft picks, including Mike Bibby and J.R. Henderson.

Bibby, the former Arizona point guard who the Grizzlies took second overall in last June’s draft, signed a three-year, $9-million deal Friday, with Vancouver holding an option for a fourth year. He will earn $2.3 million this year.

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The Atlanta Hawks signed Christian Laettner to a three-year, $18-million deal and then traded the injured power forward to Detroit for center Scot Pollard and a first-round draft pick from Portland.

Laettner, who averaged 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds a game last year, tore his right Achilles’ tendon during a pickup game in September. His agent said Friday that the former Duke star could be ready in March.

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Latrell Sprewell, reinstated by the NBA, said he was sorry, declared himself a changed man and asked to be given another chance.

“I’m sorry. We all make mistakes. I made one, I said I’m sorry about that and I’m asking for a second chance,” Sprewell said. “I’m not the person I’ve been portrayed to be.”

Sprewell, acquired Thursday for John Starks, Chris Mills and Terry Cummings, repeated the words “sorry,” “apologize,” “mistake” and “second chance” over and over.

He also repeatedly referred back to the attack on Golden State Coach P.J. Carlesimo by saying, “I had a bad day.”

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The Chicago Bulls held a free scrimmage, and a United Center crowd estimated at 14,000 booed new Coach Tim Floyd. “It was fine,” Floyd said of the reaction. . . . Forward Antoine Walker signed the richest contract in Boston Celtic history, a six-year extension for about $71 million. . . . The Portland Trail Blazers will pay center Arvydas Sabonis $30.4 million over three years, his agent said. Sabonis averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds last season. . . . Free agent Billy Owens signed a three-year contract with the Seattle SuperSonics. . . . Charlotte forward Glen Rice had loose particles removed from his right elbow and may be out for six weeks. . . . Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning will not be forced to sit out next month’s season opener after the NBA lifted the rest of his suspension from last year’s playoffs.