As he completed another basketball workout, Pau Gasol seemed in good spirits. That's because Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said it's possible Gasol will play Sunday against Sacramento, but more likely Monday when the Lakers travel to Phoenix. D'Antoni also suggested he will use Gasol differently whenever he fully heals from a torn plantar fascia in his right foot, an injury that has sidelined him for 18 games. "He's going to be a starter at some point and is going to be a big part of what we do," D'Antoni said. "Whether it's the first day, fifth day or 10th day, I don't know. "It depends on his conditioning." As Gasol exited the arena following his workout, a reporter told him of D'Antoni's plan. "Really?" Gasol said with his eyebrows raised. "That's news. Big news." Gasol has averaged a career-low 13.4 points on 45.3 percent shooting this season, which has entailed a facilitating role featuring him on the perimeter. Gasol also played as a reserve for six games before his injury. The Lakers have gone 12-6 during Gasol's absence, but they sorely missed him against teams that boasted front-line depth, notably the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder. "Having him back in the lineup changes things in what defenses have to prepare for and where they can rotate from and double from," Kobe Bryant said. "On the block, he's just a handful."