Lakers’ week in review

The Dwight Howard decision finally came, and the free-agent center chose the Houston Rockets over the Lakers.

Before Howard met with the Rockets on Monday, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak got in a quick moment with the all-star. Steve Nash and Magic Johnson took to Twitter to try to convince him to stay.

It was clear leading up to the decision that Howard’s pursuit of happiness would lead him out of town.

Of course, that’s easier to say looking back. Howard’s “See you in China” message in a YouTube clip referred not to the Lakers’ scheduled preseason games in October, but a trip planned with Adidas.

Rockets’ General Manager Daryl Morey also used Twitter and YouTube to try to lure the center.

Oddsmakers were quick to pick up on the Houston momentum. The Lakers’ odds to win the title took a major hit once Howard did announce.

The Lakers finally got their meeting with Howard on Tuesday, making their pitch.

Before the Rockets won out, the Golden State Warriors had hopes of landing Howard, but they would have needed the Lakers’ help via sign and trade. The Dallas Mavericks were told they were out.

Reports started to leak that Howard was Houston-bound. However, it took a few hours for the Lakers to find out directly from Howard -- but he let Kupchak know that his choice was Rockets.

Before Howard decided, Kobe Bryant had repeated that his plans had changed, and that he might play an additional three years before retiring. His response to the news to “unfollow” Howard and to post a picture of himself with Pau Gasol on Instagram.

Howard downplayed speculation that anything Bryant said had led to his departure.

Naturally, there was a significant reaction out of Los Angeles. Guard Jodie Meeks took to Twitter to make it clear he didn’t post an altered photo of Howard in drag.

Shaquille O’Neal needled Howard for moving to a “little town like Houston.” Phil Jackson wished him well as a new “Astro.”

When the free-agency period began on July 1, the Lakers put out initial feelers on other players but needed to know Howard’s decision before making a move.

Without the expensive center, the Lakers’ hefty tax bill for next season has dwindled considerably, although the team didn’t gain any spending tools to replace him this season.

What’s next for the Lakers? Shopping with cap room in 2014, a possible target might be Carmelo Anthony who can opt out of his contract with the New York Knicks.

The Lakers may still choose to use their one-time amnesty on Metta World Peace, although the decision won’t be made until the July 10-17 window. Undeterred, the creative forward tweeted that he expects the Lakers and Rockets to meet in the Western Conference finals.

Earl Clark, another Lakers’ free agent, visited the Cleveland Cavaliers and agreed to a two-year deal on Thursday.

By the end of the week, despite an abundance of verbal agreements made by other teams around the league, the Lakers had yet to make a free-agent acquisition.

Finally, a wealth intelligence firm reports that Bryant has the greatest net worth in the NBA.

ALSO:

Carmelo Anthony could be a 2014 target for Lakers

Phil Jackson humorously wishes Dwight Howard well as ‘Astro’

Metta World Peace tweet: Lakers vs. Rockets in conference finals

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.