The Los Angeles Lakers are watching the remainder of the NBA playoffs from the sidelines after an extremely disappointing season that produced few highlights and a lot of head scratching. What's worse, their off-season isn't proving to be any more comfortable.

First on the agenda for the franchise is addressing concerns that have been voiced over their apparent bungling of the coaching situation. Upper management eventually chose Mike D'Antoni to take the reigns from the incumbent Mike Brown, spurning ex-Lakers coach Phil Jackson -- who is in many people's estimation the greatest NBA coach of all-time.

"I laughed," Jackson told ESPN's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" show Wednesday. "It was humorous to me when Mitch [Kupchak, Lakers GM] said that we think that Mike is a better coach for this group of guys."

Though it was still uncertain whether Jackson would accept the offer or not, refusing to even give him the opportunity astounded many. Mike D'Antoni is still the man in charge, but if the Lakers don't get off to a good start, he might not be for long.

The Lakers also have to address their issues with star big man Dwight Howard. Though his arrival in Los Angeles was met with widespread excitement, his performance dipped slightly this year and it appeared at times that he did not gel well with the rest of the team on offense.

Jul. 1 marks the beginning of a free agency period that Howard may very well take part in. Rumors have already circulated that he could be interested in joining a Houston Rockets team that is showing promise. So far, Howard has largely maintained silence on the issue, though the Lakers do want him to make a decision soon.

"The sooner he makes his mind up, the better for everybody," Kupchak said. "But I told him when he first got here, 'I'm not going to bug you. I believe this is the place for you. When you make your mind up, let me know.' "

Even if the Lakers do get Howard back with a long-term contract, there are still worries over his relationship with Mike D'Antoni. Additionally, D'Antoni let go of the two assistants that Howard trusted the most, and many people around the league do not believe that D'Antoni and Howard can both co-exist in the City of Angels.

So far Lakers brass is not indicating any worry about the situation, but if things don't start looking up soon the team could be in serious trouble. It it is becoming increasingly likely that Kobe Bryant will retire after 2014, Steve Nash will be 40, and if Dwight Howard isn't on board, who will the Lakers have left to rely on? But hey, it's just the off-season. No real reason to worry, right?