Lakers Send Woolridge to Denver : Pro basketball: Trade nets second-round draft picks for 1993 and ‘95, helps reduce payroll.

Amid rumors that Jerry West was about to trade two starters in a blockbuster deal, the Lakers sent reserve forward Orlando Woolridge to the Denver Nuggets Friday for No. 2 draft picks in 1993 and ’95.

The start of something big?

Clearing Woolridge’s contract to make room under the salary cap?

Maybe the Lakers just wanted two mid-’90s No. 2s?

Immediately after making the deal, West went on vacation for two weeks and was unavailable for comment.

“This puts us in a position to do other things,” said a Laker spokesman. “Whether we’ll be able to, we’ll see.”

The possibilities include these:

--Akeem Olajuwon. It’s not thought to be likely, but who knows?

The Houston center has asked to be traded, but the Rockets want a franchise in return. The Lakers reportedly have offered Byron Scott, A.C. Green and Vlade Divac, but have been turned down by the Rockets.

West vehemently denies a deal for Olajuwon, even adding that he has called the Rockets to apologize because of the rumors.

Also, an NBA source close to Rocket owner Charlie Thomas says Thomas is vowing not to trade Olajuwon, saying it would destroy his team’s identity, and is even kicking himself for trading Ralph Sampson.

--Hot Rod Williams. The Lakers reportedly have talked to the Cavaliers about the 6-foot-10 forward.

Williams is unsigned, unhappy and is a restricted free agent. With Larry Nance and the newly signed Danny Ferry to play up front, the Cavaliers might trade him.

--Sam Perkins. The Maverick forward is an unrestricted free agent, but he’ll carry a whopping price tag.

--Charles Oakley. One NBA general manager thinks the Lakers inquired about the Knick power forward.

--Brian Shaw. It wouldn’t take two starters to get the Celtic guard, but the Lakers wanted him coming out of UC Santa Barbara, and the Celtics took him with the preceding pick. Now Shaw is resisting returning from Italy.

Woolridge signed with the Lakers in 1988-89 as a free agent after having lost a season to drugs. He averaged 8.7 points and shot 46.8% but improved to 12.7 and 55.6% last season, playing as the No. 3 forward.

He reportedly earned about $450,000 last season, turning down a $900,000 offer from the Philadelphia 76ers to remain a Laker. He was about to jump to the $750,000 range this season, so trading him would enable the Lakers to pay an extra $750,000 to someone else.

Woolridge was fishing Friday and wasn’t available for comment.