Pro Basketball

Michael Cooper, Orlando Woolridge’s $20,000-a-year assistant last season with the Sparks, is a candidate for head coach.

Woolridge, after a 20-12 season, was fired by club President Johnny Buss last Thursday, Buss citing “philosophical differences.”

Cooper and his agent, Marni Cobert, met with Buss Monday. More talks are planned.

There also were indications that Laker owner Jerry Buss might have decided to keep the Spark franchise. There has been speculation for months that the WNBA club might shift over to Laker minority owner Philip Anschutz and the Staples Center staff.

“That’s the inclination right now, to keep it,” a club insider said.