Dwight Howard: Los Angeles Lakers Big Man Doesn't Need Preseason Warmup

The Los Angeles Lakers have just three preseason games left before their 2012-13 campaign tips off, and Dwight Howard shouldn’t be involved in any of them.

According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, there has been talk that DH12 will make his debut on Sunday night when the Lakers host the Sacramento Kings at the Staples Center. However, there is no point in the big man risking injury in a meaningless game with so much on the line this coming season.

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak went all in this offseason, acquiring Howard and Steve Nash to pair with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. The Lakers are expected to compete for the Western Conference crown and challenge the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, but none of that can happen with a hobbled Howard.

Dwight has gone on the record to say he’d like to see some preseason minutes but also acknowledged their insignificance in the same breath (per Ellen J. Horrow of USA Today):

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I want to hopefully play in a couple of preseason games, or at least one. I think it's very important for myself, for the team. But if the trainers don't feel like I need to play right now, then I won't play. There's no rush.

"

He continued:

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I know I'm going to be a little rusty; I haven't played in so long. It's going to be a little different, but I'm looking forward to it. Once I get my first dunk or my first block, everything will be OK.

"

If all it takes is one block and one dunk to get back into rhythm, the big man needs to wait until Oct. 30 when the Dallas Mavericks come to town to start the season. He’ll easily have those stats in the first minute of the game against a rebuilding Mavs team that isn’t going to be competitive this year.

Howard needs to treat that game as his warm-up and use the actual game minutes to get into a groove with his new teammates. In fact, the Lakers have quite an easy start to their season, with only the Clippers to truly worry about in their first seven matchups.

By the time San Antonio comes to L.A.—Nov. 13, to be specific—Howard should be fully healthy, in shape and ready to dominate against a tough conference foe.

Forget exhibition games against the Kings. Howard has to help shoulder the championship load for the Lakers, and he needs to stay healthy and rested for that to happen.