Whenever an NBA team doesn’t win a championship, Steve Nash believes it’s inevitable changes will happen in the offseason. But the Lakers guard stated in strong terms that he hopes that doesn’t involve Dwight Howard.

“I’m very hopeful that Dwight will be back,” Nash said. “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.”

Howard hasn’t publicly stated his intentions. But returning to the Lakers seems a no brainer for various reasons. Howard would earn $117.9 million with a five-year deal if he signed with the Lakers. He would earn $87.9 million over four years if he went somewhere else. The Lakers also have an extensive resume, what with their 16 NBA championships and history of esteemed centers ranging from George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal.

But plenty of things plagued Howard. He played through the entire season plagued by back surgery and a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Howard averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds, his lowest numbers since the 2006-07 season. Howard went through adjustments playing with Kobe Bryant, adapting to his domineering personality and handling the heightened media scrutiny.

Howard at times, openly argued with Nash on the court over failed defensive rotations and pick-and-roll sequences.

“Of course, you’re going to see the lows and those are going to be highlighted,” Nash said. “To me generally, it was really good. Dwight and myself formed a relationship. Dwight was a good presence throughout the year.”

Even when the Lakers started off 17-25, they ended the season going 28-12. Nash believes that serves as evidence that his partnership with Howard could thrive with more time.

“The big picture is the relationships were formed, relationships were kept,” Nash said. “I think that’s the only reason we didn’t sputter out of control.”

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

Although he reiterated time and again his choice to remain a Laker, Metta World Peace stayed non-committal on whether he will exercise his $7.7 million player option to return next season.

“It’s really not important to me right now,” World Peace said. “What’s important is next year coming back and starting off the right way and building some consistency early. That’s the only thing on my mind right now. Not contracts or anything like that.”
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He may have only been considered as a shoe-in as part of the Orlando deal that brought Dwight Howard to the Lakers. It’s unclear if Chris Duhon will even return to the Lakers, considering his minimal role and the possibility the Lakers could buy out at least part of his $3.75 million contract for next season.

But as a teammate with Howard both on the Magic and the Lakers no one has greater perspective than Duhon on whether the Lakers center will want to stay with the purple and gold.

“He could be happy here,” Duhon said. “Why not. It’s a great city and great town. Obviously it’s an organization and great tradition and proude and be one of those guys to get the statue.”
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Even if he’s offered a lower salary and fewer years compared to other offers, Earl Clark maintains he’d prefer re-signing this offseason with the Lakers.

“It’s not always about the money,” said Clark, who earned $1.2 million this season. “You could go somewhere with more money and be in a bad situation. I’m not trying to do that.”

Clark’s sentiments are simple. At first, the Lakers considered him to be no more than a throw-in from the Orlando trade that brought them Dwight Howard. But Clark had a breakout season, averaging a career-high 7.3 points on 44 percent shooting and 5.5 rebounds after Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni liked his athleticism and energy. Clark still struggled, averaging only 3.5 points per game in the playoffs and showing a steep learning curve in executing the Lakers’ offensive sets.

But Clark hopes his willingness to have a relatively cheaper contract than possibly other teams would offer will convince the Lakers to allow him to develop with them,

“I want to have a consistent role on a team that believed I could help them win every night,” Clark said. “Hopefully I’ll be here. I want to be here. I like the way we play. I think it fits me. We’ll see. I hope Mitch feels the same way.”

That would be Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, who faces plenty of tough decisions to make this offseason. Clark hopes he’s not one of those tough decisions.

“I want to be with the Lakers and not be known with a team that was the worst in history,” Clark said. “This sucks.”

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

In the first step in trying to rehabilitate his image, Dwight Howard took to Twitter to apologize for his ejection in the Lakers’ 103-82 Game 4 loss Sunday to the SAn Antonio Spurs.

Im still upset about tonights game and the way this season ended. Im mad I lost my cool. Im sorry for letting my team and our fans down when

— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) April 29, 2013

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He began his first season here with the Lakers aspiring to reach greatness. Instead, Dwight Howard ended his first season with the Lakers showing shame.

Even before the Lakers’ 103-82 blowout Game 4 loss to the San Antonio Spurs officially ended the team’s disastrous season, Howard already ended his 22 minutes beforehand. Howard earned an ejection with 9:51 left in the second quarter after mouthing off to an official.

“I have to do a better job trying to keep my cool,” Howard said. “It was very tough to be out there playing. It was an emotional game and no one wants to lose. When things don’t go your way, sometimes you react the wrong way. I have to keep my cool.”
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The moment Pau Gasol walked off the floor, he heard a roar from the Staples Center crowd that suggested more than just a sendoff marking the end of a season.

It could also mark the last time Lakers fans will see him wearing purple and gold.

“There is a sense that might happen,” Gasol said following the Lakers’ 103-82 Game 4 loss Sunday to the San Antonio Spurs. “That is not something I have thought a lot about. I always try to play my best as if it is my last game. I am very thankful for our fans and the support they show.”

Gasol nearly choked up when he said those words, but it remains to be seen whether the Lakers front office will feel just as nostalgic.

The Lakers’ offseason mostly hinge on Dwight Howard’s future. If he stays with the Lakers, he would receive $117.8 million over five years. If he signs with any other team, he will get a four-year deal worth $87.6 million. Meanwhile, the Lakers could shed Gasol’s $19.3 million left on his contract through a trade or the amnesty provision.

Does Gasol sense his future hinges on what Howard does?

“They will try to get Dwight and extend him. That’s why they brought him here,” Gasol said in an interview with this newspaper. “But I don’t think everything is set in stone in the sense that if he stays, I’m definitely gone or if he goes, I’m definitely here. Ownership has to answer that.”
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In what may have marked his last game in a Lakers uniform, Dwight Howard was ejected in Game 4 of the Lakers-Spurs first-round series.

Howard was ejected as the Lakers trailed 55-44 with 9:51 left in the third quarter after arguing with a referee. His first technical happened with 50 seconds left in the first quarter after elbowing San Antonio guard Cory Joseph. Howard had collected four technical fouls during the Lakers’ playoff series against San Antonio.

Howard, who finished with seven points on 2 of 2 shooting and eight rebounds, shook hands with a few teammates before leaving the entrance tunnel. The Lakers trail 3-0 against San Antonio and entered the fourth quarter trailing 78-58. If Howard signs with the Lakers, it would be for five years worth $117.8 million. If it’s another team, it will be four-years, $87.6 million.

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com

FINAL: Spurs 103, Lakers 82

This was supposed to end in championship glory. Instead, the Lakers XX Game 4 loss to the San Antonio Spurs marked the second playoff sweep in the past three seasons. This year ended with a bust, too many injuries to count and an endless list of questions surrounding this offseason.

The most pressing one: will Dwight Howard re-sign with the Lakers? He could for five years and $117.9 million instead of a four-year, $87.6 million deal with another team. Sorry Laker fans, who keep clamoring for Phil Jackson to coach. Mike D’Antoni, who has two more guaranteed years worth $8 million, won’t need to worry. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said last week D’Antoni will return next season, crediting how he managed a 40-32 record his first season despite no training camp and persisting injuries, notably to Nash (fractured left leg).

The Lakers won’t have much clarity elsewhere.

They could use the amnesty provision on Bryant ($30.5 million), Gasol ($19.9 million), World Peace ($7.7 million) or Blake ($4 million). World Peace might opt out of his player option in hopes for a longer but less expensive contract, although that runs the risk of the Lakers letting him walk.

The Lakers also will have expiring contracts to Antawn Jamison, Clark, Morris, Goudelock, Robert Sacre and Devin Ebanks, although the latter is sure to leave considering he’s rarely played all season.

The Lakers will have some relief from the $6.5 million to $7 million they owe over the next two seasons after firing Mike Brown, who just became head coach at Cleveland. It’s likely the Lakers won’t calculate the total savings for another month after reviewing Brown’s contract, but a source familiar with the situation said the savings are a “grain of salt.”
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