Lakers Look To Re-Sign Howard Soon As Possible; All-Star Center Doesn’t Want Pressure From Anybody

In the wake of his unceremonious exit in Game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round playoff series loss at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, incoming free-agent center Dwight Howard apparently doesn't want pressure from anybody as he makes a career-defining decision this summer.

The 27-year-old Howard is set to lead a solid crop of free-agents such as Josh Smith, Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bynum this summer.

The Lakers have already showed interest in re-signing Howard to a long-term deal ever since the All-Star center arrived to Los Angeles following a big trade last year.

But despite the optimism of Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is still undecisive with regards to rejoining the Lakers.

"We're very confident that we can build around Dwight Howard," said Mitch Kupchak. "I think he understands: the sooner, the better for everybody," said Kupchak about when Howard may make a decision.

Howard, on the other hand, wants to take the process one step at a time and looks to have a better control of the situation this time around.

"I just want an opportunity to make a decision for myself to make myself happy," Howard told RealGM about his upcoming free-agency. "I just don't want any pressure from anybody. I'm not gonna allow any of the fake rumors from last year to happen this year. If something comes out, you're going to hear from me."

Howard said the best memories he had during his first season with the Lakers was when his teammates allowed him to run out of the tunnel by himself during the preseason games.

The Lakers enter this summer with Howard, Pau Gasol, Earl Clark, and Andrew Goudeluck hitting the free-agency waters.