Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard made headlines this weekend after stating that he doesn't believe the NBA should return to play amid all of the racial injustice happening across the country. While Howard isn't the only player to have this viewpoint, the big man's dissent led to some questions being raised about the Lakers' team chemistry.

On Friday, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving organized a conference call among players to discuss the NBA's plan to return to play. Despite a vocal minority like Howard, several players in the Purple and Gold roster roster have assured fans that the team is not divided.

“[There's] no divide,” one Lakers player told Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“Still have some time to figure things out as a league and as a team,” another Lakers player said.

Led by the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers are in prime position to contend for a title for the first time in nearly a decade. Prior to the season being postponed in March, Los Angeles had the best mark in the Western Conference (49-14) and the second-best in the entire league behind the Milwaukee Bucks.

As a result, the Lakers are considered one of the favorites to win the title for the shortened 2019-20 season even if the team is more divided than the players have let on.

As for the NBA's new schedule, players will be tested for coronavirus starting July 22 before participating in a training camp scheduled for July 30. The start of the playoffs are scheduled for August 17.