Brown could play Monday

The Lakers get back some of their injured players next week, leading to one of those quandaries that can actually be labeled acceptable.

Who starts at center?

Kwame Brown is expected to return from a severely sprained ankle as early as Monday against Golden State, which could mean Andrew Bynum goes back to the bench.

It’s not a bad problem to have, but you can’t start them both.

One of the involved parties has an idea what will happen.

“Phil will probably put Kwame in,” Bynum said in reference to Lakers Coach Phil Jackson.

Really?

“Can’t do anything about it,” Bynum said. “My time’s going to come. I’m still going to go out there and play.”

If Brown becomes the starter again, Bynum will have lost the starting spot for a second time this season.

He started the first 14 games of the season but was replaced by Brown because of declining play and a late appearance for a pre-game workout.

He re-claimed his job by default when Brown was injured Dec. 31 against Philadelphia. In nine games as the starter since then, Bynum has averaged 10.7 points and 8.2 rebounds. He had nine points and five rebounds Thursday against Dallas.

Even if he gets replaced in the lineup, he has learned something the last few weeks.

“I feel a lot better out there, more aggressive,” he said. “I’m learning how to play pick-and-roll defense. The secret is to get out there quickly.”

Forward Lamar Odom, out since Dec. 12 because of a sprained knee ligament, could also return next week.

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Before Brown returns, he might be disciplined by the team for his role in an alleged after-hours cake caper.

He was accused of ruining a $190 chocolate cake belonging to a birthday celebrant who was holding it outside a Hermosa Beach club early Saturday morning.

Brown was leaving a club at about 2 a.m. after celebrating a different birthday -- teammate Ronny Turiaf’s -- when he grabbed the cake from the accuser and flung it, hitting the accuser on the back, according to a police report. Brown then left in a limousine.

Jackson said he hadn’t spoken to Brown yet, but reserved the right to penalize him.

“I think it was poor choices,” Jackson said. “There’s something there to be said, but I want to talk to him first before I really speak on the issue. That’s obviously one of the aspects of being on a team, is bringing attention to your club in behavior. We’ll have to discuss that.”

In a lighter moment, Jackson joked it was “natural” that the cake slipped from Brown’s fingers.

Brown will probably have to absorb a fine from the team but is not expected to miss any playing time because of the incident.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com