Dwight Howard's Future With L.A. Lakers In Doubt, But Steve Nash Says He Wants Him Back; Magic Johnson Rips Howard on Twitter After NBA Playoffs

Dwight Howard's ejection in the critical Game 4 of the playoffs Sunday where the L.A. Lakers were swept left a bad impression in NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson's eyes.

Johnson, a former NBA MVP and five-time NBA champion with the L.A. Lakers, was not happy with Howard after the Lakers star was ejected in the second quarter of Sunday's Game 4 elimination game between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers ended up getting torched by the Spurs 103-82 as the Spurs swept the series 4-0.

Howard, whom the Lakers acquired in a mega-trade last summer, was ejected after picking up his second technical foul for the game.

On Twitter, Magic took Howard to task with a scathing series of comments.

"Laker Nation: Dwight Howard that was a big No, No. Your teammates and the fans were counting on you."

"LN: Dwight, I've been swept before but I never let my team down by getting kicked out of the game."

"I'm sooooooooooo happy the season is over. With the talent on this team this could go down as one of the worst seasons in Lakers' history!"

While Magic's frustrations are likely the sentiments of many fans in Lakers Nation, chances are that the comments aren't going to do much for the Lakers' chances to retain Howard, who will be a free agent after the season is over.

Howard, an eight-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, can command a max deal with the Lakers, but other teams will undoubtedly be asking about the big man's services. The Houston Rockets, for example, have enough cap space for one major free agent, and have a playoff-level team without Howard, as well as an All-Star in James Harden to pair him up with.

However, the Lakers brass, who refrained from trading Howard at the trade deadline, have made it clear that they want Howard back as the centerpiece of the franchise for the future once Kobe Bryant retires.

Howard, who clashed with Bryant in the headlines several times this season, has been noncommittal about whether he wants to remain a Laker or not, but did not have a kind review when he described his first season with the Lakers.

"A nightmare," he said, as reported by USA Today. "A bad dream. I couldn't wake up out of it. It seemed like nothing could go right from the start."

Despite this, there are teammates who want Howard to stay.

Steve Nash, an all-time great at his position and the Lakers' current point guard, told the L.A. Times on Monday that he would love for Howard to remain in the gold and purple for next season.

"I'm very hopeful that Dwight will be back," Nash said Monday. "I think this is the place for him. He's in the prime of his career. He's got his best years ahead of him. He can play for one of the greatest franchises in sports and an amazing city. This has got to be the place for him and I'm hopeful that he sees it that way."