Dwight Howard expected to return to Lakers?

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard will become a free agent this summer and has continued to stay noncommittal about whether he will sign with the Lakers or go elsewhere.

But according to USA Today Sports, two people close to the big man said they expect him to remain in L.A..

“two people close to him said they fully expect him to return. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity out of respect for Howard’s decision to wait until the summer to make his final choice.”

“It’s almost like you’re envisioning yourself three years from now, four years from now, what is that (like)? ” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday regarding Howard now playing without Bryant. “Well the future is now. I think he’s up to the challenge.”

The Lakers can offer Howard a maximum extension for five years and $117.9 million while all other teams can only offer him a four-year, $87.8 million contract.

Howard has averaged 18.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game this season with the lakers.

“People assume that, because Kobe is out, that we all have to try to go for 30 points every night,” Howard said. “That’s not the case (just) because he’s out. We have to play great team basketball, get everybody involved. Stats — it looks good on paper. It looks good for the highlights. But we win the game on the other end, playing defense and just going out there and going hard.

“It’s not about the points that we put up, so I’m not looking to go out every night and get 60 (points). That looks good. That would be great for myself, but the main concern is just winning a championship and doing it together. I just want to win. It’s that simple. I want us to win the championship and have a big turnaround from where we started this season. That’s the only thing that matters to me.”

The Lakers final home game is Wednesday against Houston.  The Lakers remain one game ahead of the Utah Jazz for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.  The Jazz, who hold the tiebreaker, play Monday night at Minnesota and at Memphis on Wednesday.