After missing the 2012 Olympics, Dwight Howard expressed his interest in playing for Team USA in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

"No doubt," Howard said when asked if he wants to play for the men's national team in the next Olympiad.

Howard, who will be 30 when the 2016 Olympics arrive, was not able to participate last summer with a back injury but had been invited to be a member of the team.

"I was pissed off," Howard said. "I was mad I couldn't play in the playoffs. I was mad I couldn't play in the Olympics. I was pissed. I was looking forward to going to London. I was looking forward to making a big run in the playoffs last season, so I wasn't too happy about the fact that I had to have surgery and miss a lot of basketball."

The Utah Jazz and Raja Bell continue to discuss a buyout.

Bell hasn't played throughout the season.

Bell has long been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the team reportedly doesn't want to add any more payroll.

Steve Nash does not regret his decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers despite a frustrating season that may result in missing the playoffs.

Nash also considered the Raptors and Knicks.

"Ten out of 10 times, I make the same decision again," Nash said. "I've gotten to see my kids probably four times as much as I'd seen them if I'd have gone back East. That's first and foremost. Second of all, it's a great experience to play for the Lakers organization. ... I'm happy here.

"I'm beyond playing for the credit or the adulation. I feel secure in myself as a player. I just want to help this team, regardless of what it means for me personally."

Pau Gasol has been cleared to work out on an elliptical machine as part of his rehabilitation from a torn plantar fascia in his right foot.

Gasol is expected to be sidelined for another three weeks.

The Lakers have gone 5-4 in Gasol’s absence.

Metta World Peace clubbed Kenneth Faried on the last play of the third quarter Monday when the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets.

World Peace's hit was not in the rhythm of the game, and it went without a foul call from the officials.

As of Wednesday, the NBA also had not taken any action.

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have been named the NBA's Players of the Week.

James averaged 23.5 points (fifth in the conference), 9.3 assists (second in the conference), 2.25 steals (third in the conference) and 7.8 rebounds.

Bryant averaged 31.3 points per game, along with 7.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists.

The Heat and Lakers were a combined 7-0 for the week.

Others that were nominated are Atlanta's Al Horford, Boston's Jeff Green, Charlotte's Kemba Walker, Golden State's Jarrett Jack, Houston's James Harden, Indiana's Paul George, Memphis' Zach Randolph, Miami's Dwyane Wade, Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, Phoenix's Goran Dragic and Toronto's Rudy Gay.

Mark Cuban insists comments he made last week about the Los Angeles Lakers considering use of their amnesty clause on Kobe Bryant were hypothetical.

"Any time you try to explain the CBA, it's hard to do without giving an example," he said. "Whenever the commissioner or anybody talks about the CBA, they talk about Dallas and Tyson Chandler or Dallas and Dirk or whatever. You've got to use examples.

"I was clear saying it was hypothetical and I didn't expect it to be that way, but it was a good example because they have the highest payroll and the highest-paid player in the league. That's the end of the story."

Gregg Popovich reportedly cursed at Dwight Howard during this year's All-Star Game, but the story was likely exaggerated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

"Spur assistants who were in the All-Star Game huddle in Houston say the incident has been overblown," wrote T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times.

Howard said Friday night that what Smith had told everyone "just never happened."

"Pop was diagramming a play for me, and then as he showed us what to do he kept saying, 'Blake.' So Blake (Griffin) and I are confused, but he keeps saying Blake, so Blake takes off his jersey and goes into the game. "Pop sees me and wants to know why I'm not in the game running the play, so I tell him he kept saying Blake so Blake went in. He wasn't swearing at me."

Mark Cuban suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers may have to consider using their amnesty provision on Kobe Bryant this offseason.

Bryant is owed $30.4 million for the 13-14 season, but continues to play at a high All-Star level.

"If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight (Howard) comes back, you’ve got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe?"

Cuban said he wouldn't consider doing a similar move on Dirk Nowitzki. The Dallas Mavericks have made several cost-saving moves in recent offseasons, such as their decision not to re-sign Tyson Chandler. 

"It’s the same reason I wouldn’t get rid of Dirk (Nowitzki). I’ll take a hit for a season rather than get rid of Dirk. That’s just it. I’ve made that commitment to him over the years and he’s returned that commitment. Maybe that’s selfish, but that’s just the way it is."

The Lakers will have the highest luxury tax bill in the NBA for the 12-13 NBA season.

If the Lakers use their amnesty provision, it will more likely be on Metta World Peace and his $7.7 million salary.

Update: Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Lakers will not file a complaint against Cuban for his comments. The NBA, however, is reviewing the matter and can fine him for publicly speaking about the status of another team's player.

The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks are scheduled to pay the luxury tax this season.

The Bulls have never previously paid the luxury tax and were unable to shed salary at the deadline.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are less than $1 million away from the tax threshold.

The Warriors traded away Jeremy Tyler and Charles Jenkins on Thursday to get under the tax. Golden State has never paid the luxury tax in franchise history.

The Lakers will have the largest luxury tax bill, as they currently are nearly $30 million over the threshold, while the Celtics are over by less than $1 million.