Lakers Trying to Sign Perkins, Sources Say : Basketball: Possible personnel moves add mystery to Midsummer Night’s Magic at the Forum.

The Lakers have become serious contenders to gain the services of Sam Perkins, the free-agent forward of the Dallas Mavericks, sources close to the Lakers said Sunday night.

Signing Perkins has become a top priority for the Lakers, the sources said. Perkins could be signed as early as this week, for perhaps as much as $3 million per year, they said.

Perkins, 29, is a 6-foot-9, 235-pounder who attended North Carolina. He was the fourth overall pick in the 1984 draft, by the Mavericks.

Last season, Perkins averaged 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 35.1 minutes.

Another possible Laker deal, the sources said, would send A.C. Green and Byron Scott to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forward John Williams and guard Craig Ehlo.

There was as much action in the rumor department at the Forum Sunday as there was on the court, where two teams of stars put on a spectacular show in the Midsummer Night’s Magic fifth annual all-star game before a sellout crowd of 17,505, proceeds going to the United Negro College Fund.

With Johnson, Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas and Dominique Wilkins running the show, there was the usual blend of dunks and fast-break action. The only thing forbidden in this game was defense.

This is usually a happy night for Johnson, but before the game, he talked about his sadness at what appears to be the end of an era as the Lakers seem on the verge of reconstructing their team.

Orlando Woolridge was traded Friday. Michael Cooper could be playing in Italy next season. And those potential deals loom on the horizon.

“It’ll be a sad day for me,” Johnson said of Cooper’s possible departure.

“With him, it’s more than just playing. We rode the bus together. We went to the movies. We’ve known each other for a long time. We love each other.

“I may be losing my two best friends on this team. First (Coach Pat) Riley. And now this. I won’t believe it until he (Cooper) tells me.

“I understand the economics of it (moving to Italy). The chance for him to make that much money is great. I can’t be selfish. I have to understand his position.”

Led by Wayman Tisdale (30 points), Mark Aguirre (28) and Isiah Thomas (24 points, 12 assists), the White team beat the Red team, 167-162, Sunday night.

The Red squad was led by Michael Jordan (36 points), Charles Smith (28 points) and Shawn Kemp (26). Magic Johnson had 11 points and 10 assists for the Red team.

Forward Orlando Woolridge, traded by the Lakers to the Denver Nuggets Friday for a pair of future draft choices, issued the following statement Sunday: “Obviously, I’m saddened and a little upset about having to leave, but I do understand the nature of the business I’m in. My only regret is that I was never put in a position to show my full athletic abilities. The fans here in Los Angeles have been super and I’ll cherish the support they’ve given me for the rest of my life.”

In the previous four years, this game raised slightly more than $2.5 million for the United Negro College Fund. Sunday’s game raised more than $1 million. Tickets were scaled from $10 to $1,000 for the 124 courtside seats.