Los Angeles Lakers swingman Jared Dudley believes fans of the team know that Dwight Howard will play an important role this season.

Howard joined the Lakers this offseason, signing a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. It was a reunion between the two sides, as the former No. 1 overall pick was a member of the team for their 2012-13 campaign. Things have changed quite a bit in L.A. since those days, though, as Howard is now playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

“You’re excited for his story,” swingman Jared Dudley told Sports Illustrated before the Lakers' win against Charlotte. “To be an All-NBA caliber player, for him to come back, hopefully help lead us to a championship, and serve a purpose in his role. Laker fans are a really smart fan base, they know he can really help us.”

Howard has bounced around the NBA since his first stint with the Lakers, and many experts argued that he was in decline. However, the 33-year-old has been extremely efficient for Los Angeles this go-round. In Sunday's 120-101 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, he racked up 16 points on 8-of-8 shooting from the field, 10 rebounds and four blocks.

“Did you anticipate having moments like these as early as you have this season?” a reporter asked Howard following Sunday's win.

“I don't think about that,” Howard replied. “I just try to go in there and do my job. The first unit plays extremely hard. So the second unit, we gotta bring energy, keep it going.”

Like most NBA fans, Dudley is aware of Howard's redemption story, and he's pulling for him. Ultimately, though, Dudley is happy to be on such a talented team:

“I never thought I would be on a team with [Dwight], LeBron, and AD,” Dudley admitted. “For [Howard] to be as physically fit as he is, he may not be Orlando Dwight Howard, but he’s definitely good enough to be an NBA rotation player and help us win. People age and mature, sometimes your body declines, but now you have a chance at redemption.”

Howard and the Lakers will be back in action on Tuesday night, when they'll serve as hosts to the Memphis Grizzlies. Tip-off inside the STAPLES Center is set for 10:30 p.m. ET, with NBA TV having live broadcast coverage.

Let's see if Howard can continue this level of play.