by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

You may have to wait another month to see Dwight Howard in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.

The star center acquired in a four-team trade this offseason from the Orlando Magic hedged Sunday on previous statements that he hoped to return from back surgery during the preseason.

“I’m on track (to return), but my goal wasn’t to play (in) a preseason game,” Howard told ESPN Los Angeles. “My goal is to win a championship. That’s what we’re shooting for.”

ESPN Los Angeles reports coach Mike Brown hasn’t spoken to Howard about a specific return date, which seems odd as the Lakers opened the preseason Sunday with a 110-83 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Robert Sacre started at center for the Lakers.

“I’m a hard worker,” Howard said. “My back just has to get stronger and I have to get everything that surrounds it stronger too so I can play at a high level. That’s my goal. That’s my focus. Like I said, I want to give these guys everything and give the game of basketball everything because at the end of the year I want to hold up the trophy, so I want to make sure I’m 100 percent.”

… [For more on Dwight Howard's Lakers debut could be delayed, click here.]