Though Los Angeles Lakers have had a disappointed start to their season, but still have remained to stay committed to center Dwight Howard. However, the Lakers have not received that same commitment in return from the All-Star center.

According to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, Howard understands that his decision to not say whether he'll remain a Laker this summer when he becomes a free agent has taken its toll, as he notes that he's noticed that the city hasn't fully embraced him.

"I understand why they're hesitating," Howard said. "Because I haven't signed a deal."

Howard continued on.

"I'm here right now, so there's no need for me to have one foot in and one foot out," he said. "I'm here. I'm going to do everything I can to help this team win right now, and that's the only thing that matters."

At one hand, it's easily understandable on why Dwight hasn't signed a deal. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is made as such that Howard has to wait 'til the summer to sign a five-year, $118 million deal. And the Lakers have the advantage when it comes to security; other teams can only sign him for four years and a total of nearly $88 million.

The scare of the chance of Howard not re-signing has caused a flurry of trade rumors implying the Lakers were thinking about trade, although the Lakers have since said that they were holding on to Howard.

Howard and the Lakers will face the Clippers on Thursday night.

Please feel free to leave your comments in the box below, let us know if keeping Howard worth the risk of him walking in the summer.