Chris Kaman will make his return to court for the Lakers and he isn’t even injured. Kaman, whose time on the court has ranged from starting to not playing a minute, will fill in for Pau Gasol against the Knicks, who is listed as doubtful with vertigo.

These will be the first meaningful minutes for the center in 12 games, seeing as he has only played four minutes combined in those dozen games. Kaman has currently gone 10-straight games without playing a single minute, which is the longest stretch this season for him. Prior to the playing time drought, Kaman was averaging 23.7 minutes in a 10-game stretch.

But that hot and cold situation with Kaman’s minutes does not worry D’ Antoni and his center’s ability to contribute after a long lull.

“I’ve always had confidence in him,” said D’ Antoni. “I think he’s played well, but obviously that position is a little weird and Jordan Hill you want to get him a lot of time. So it’s either very short minutes for him or he starts, and he’s a much better starter.

“It’s not his fault, it’s just the way it works out.”

Kaman declined to speak with media after the morning shoot around.