The Los Angeles Lakers enter an uncertain offseason that will be dictated by their ability to re-sign Dwight Howard.

"We're very confident that we can build around Dwight Howard," said Mitch Kupchak.

Kupchak had a long conversation with Howard on Tuesday that he felt went well. Kupchak did confess that it is difficult for him to be fully confident of Howard returning to the Lakers.

"I think he understands: the sooner, the better for everybody," said Kupchak about when Howard may make a decision.

Howard also addressed the media on Tuesday.

"I just want an opportunity to make a decision for myself to make myself happy," Howard said. "I just don't want any pressure from anybody."

Howard also wants to avoid his free agency becoming an event unto itself the way his departure from the Orlando Magic materialized. 

"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 wrapped his interview session by indicating that the most memorable moment from the 12-13 season with the Lakers was when he was pranked by his teammates in the preseason to run out of the tunnel by himself.

Pau Gasol addressed the media at the end of a difficult season for the Los Angeles Lakers and ahead of an offseason where his future is in doubt. 

"I prefer to stay, but I'm prepared if I'm not," said Gasol.

Gasol also said that Mitch Kupchak indicated that his future with the Lakers is not directly tied to the decision Dwight Howard ultimately makes in free agency.

If Gasol returns, he hopes that there is better understanding of how he can be utilized by Mike D'Antoni.

"I think we have to understand each other a lot better.”

Antawn Jamison is not expected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.

Jamision will undergo wrist surgery on Tuesday for an injury sustained on March 22. Jamison played through the injury to help the already injury-depleted Lakers.

Jamison skipped his exit interview with the Lakers on Monday.

Jodie Meeks became one of Dwight Howard's closest friends this season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Meeks was asked on Monday if he thinks Howard will re-sign with the Lakers.

"I know he loves this city," said Meeks. "I know he loves the team. We got pretty close this year as friends -- from the same hometown [Atlanta]. I can't really say exactly what he's going to do but I know he likes the city."

Meeks has one season remaining on his contract with the Lakers, assuming they pick up their team option.

Pau Gasol has one season remaining on his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and hopes to return even though he could be dealt in the offseason.

"I would like to be a part of another championship team here, but it is not totally up to me," Gasol said.

"We could definitely get it done [if the roster stayed intact], but I would be pretty surprised if there was no changes whatsoever. I would be surprised if that happens."

Gasol said he had "certain desires that [Phil Jackson] would be chosen" to replace Mike Brown instead of Mike D'Antoni.

Gasol and Jackson remain in frequent contact.

The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the 2013 NBA Playoffs in four games by the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, finishing a season in which beloved owner Jerry Buss passed away, Mike Brown was fired and controversially replaced by Mike D'Antoni, Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles tendon amid countless other injuries and the team was unable to fully incorporate Dwight Howard.

“Like a nightmare," said Howard on his first season with the Lakers. "It’s like a bad dream and we just couldn’t wake up from it. That’s what it felt like.”

Howard underwent back surgery last spring and came back earlier than expected, but was far from his dominant former self.

Howard will be a free agent in the offseason.

"Going to step away from everything for a couple weeks and clear my head before I do or talk about anything as far as next season."

Andrew Goudelock made $475,000 last season as a second round pick with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Goudelock was cut by the Lakers before the season opener this season and went on to play in the D-League, ultimately winning MVP honors.

The Lakers signed Goudelock for the final two games of the regular season and playoffs following Kobe Bryant's season-ending injury.

“I’m broke,” Goudelock said. “I’m cool. Nobody would know that I’m broke. I just come here with a smile on my face.” 

Goudelock averaged 21.4 points in the D-League and is now starting for the Lakers int he playoffs.

“This business just keeps getting crazier,” Goudelock said. “I wouldn’t think I’d be here two weeks ago. Nothing happens the way it’s supposed to happen. This is a great opportunity, going from the D-League a week and a half ago to starting in the playoffs. It shows you the nature of the business.” 

Goudelock was living paycheck to paycheck after finishing up his rookie salary. 

“I was so broke I had to borrow money,” he said. “I’ve had the same girlfriend since college, and I had to call her to give me money and she’s still in college, but I didn’t have any other choice. I didn’t want to call my parents. I’m too old for that. Some days I couldn’t even eat, and she sent me money. It’s definitely an experience I’m going to tell my kids about.” 

Goudelock made about $1,200 every two weeks while he was in the D-League, while his per diem was $40.

Pau Gasol has dealt with tendonosis in both knees this season.

“It’s something I’ve dealt with all year, but I have to do something to regenerate the tissue,” Gasol said, “so I don’t have to play with this pain.”

Gasol was asked if he might consider going to Germany in the offseason to undergo a derivation of the platelet-rich plasma procedure.

“I’ll go to wherever I need to go,” Gasol said. “It’s a possibility.”

Metta World Peace returned from a torn meniscus in his left knee earlier than anyone expected, but he admitted after Game 3 that the knee "was bummish" and that he is expecting to miss Game 4 on Sunday.

"I'll probably sit out Sunday," World Peace said. "... I was the weak link tonight."

World Peace went scoreless in 17 minutes on Friday, when the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3.

The Lakers are down 3-0 in the series and face elimination in Game 4.

Andrew Goudelock has been named the 2013 NBA Development League’s Most Valuable Player, as voted by the NBA D-League’s 16 head coaches, for his efforts as a member of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Sioux Falls Skyforce. 

Goudelock (6-3, 200, College of Charleston) played in 37 games, all starts, for the Vipers this season, averaging 21.4 points to go with 5.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 36.7 minutes, while leading the team in scoring 16 times.  Selected to play in the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game, Goudelock was traded in January to Rio Grande Valley from the Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he played in 14 games. 

In all, Goudelock appeared in 52 regular season NBA D-League games, averaging 21.1 points, good for third best in the NBA D-League, to go with 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 37.1 minutes.