Dwight Howard remains noncommittal about return date

Dwight Howard remains noncommittal about a possible return date while training with the Lakers' medical staff after having back surgery in April.

Howard has been officially ruled out for the Lakers' pre-season opener against Golden State on Oct. 7 but no official status is known beyond that game.

When pressed for a possible timetable for return on media day at the Lakers' practice facility in El Segundo, Howard told Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times:

"I don't," Howard said. "I just want to be 100% for the season. I don't want to have any setbacks where I play a couple of games and then I have to sit down."

The Lakers will attempt to incorporate many new faces in training camp this week as they acquired Howard and veterans Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison in the off-season.

The Lakers open the regular season at home by welcoming the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 30.