Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kyle Kuzma is expected to make his season debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, and star LeBron James is happy to have him back in the lineup.

Kuzma is making his way back from a left foot stress reaction:

Last season for the Lakers, Kuzma averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 30.3 percent from beyond the arc and 75.2 percent from the free-throw line.

Kuzma could join James, Danny Green, Anthony Davis and JaVale McGee in LA’s starting lineup, although nothing is set in stone. Head coach Frank Vogel has hinted that Rajon Rondo could replace Avery Bradley, who has started the first four games of the season. Rondo is currently nursing a calf injury.

One thing we do know is that the Lakers really value Kuzma. After all, he was the only youngster from last year’s team to not get traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Davis deal. Kuzma’s pals Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram were sent to New Orleans for Davis this summer.

The Lakers take on the Mavs, San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls on the road before coming back home to face the Miami Heat.