Dwight Howard won't be ready for the beginning of training camp

Sit tight, Lakers fans. It will be awhile before Dwight Howard can play for his new team. (Getty Images)

Things are still in "wait and see" mode for Dwight Howard and the Lakers. The team's official site has confirmed that Howard has begun his rehabilitation, which is "going well" with no setbacks.

But the team is still offering no timetable for his return. Howard underwent spinal surgey April 21.

The team did say that Howard won't be available for the beginning of the Lakers' training camp -- which starts Oct. 1 -- or the team's first preseason game on Oct. 7.

Those things don't matter as much as if he's ready for the team's opener Oct. 30, which seems moderately unlikely given the fact he's just now beginning workouts.

Obviously full health is key as the Lakers really aren't all that interested in Howard's services in October or November. But they also have the task ahead of them of integrating him into their system and figuring out how to play alongside Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash. The Lakers have a lot of new parts, so Howard missing camp might be a little bit of a setback.

Then again, it's not all that difficult to learn and fit in on the fly when you're playing with that much talent. Something tells me the Lakers will be fine.