Report: Dwight Howard could make Laker debut Sunday against Sacramento

Bad news, rest of the NBA: Dwight Howard is apparently ready to make his return to the court. Which means the Laker death star is about to be fully operational.

There was never a timetable really in place for Howard's return to the floor, but the expectation was that he wouldn't be ready for the beginning of the regular season. According to Yahoo Sports though, the Lakers are targeting Sunday at home against Sacramento for Howard.

"He is making progress," a Lakers source reportedly told Yahoo Sports. "There is a good chance he can play Sunday."

Along with playing Sunday, the Lakers are hopeful Howard can appear in two of the team's last three preseason games. He likely won't play in back-to-back games though.

Howard has been out since April because of a herniated disk that required back surgery and caused him to miss the entire postseason as well as the London Olympics.

Getting a few preseason games under his belt isn't only a great sign for the Lakers' season, but it's key in that the team has a lot of new additions to put together. With Steve Nash and Howard joining the mix, the Lakers have virtually a brand new offensive identity that has to be figured out.

It was no guarantee when Howard joined the Lakers as part of a four-team trade that he'd be ready for the beginning of the regular season. Evidently, he will be, assuming there aren't any setbacks. How do you like that, it's all working out for the Lakers.