The Los Angeles Lakers bought stock in Kyle Kuzma as the premier player in their young core this summer.

While general manager Rob Pelinka parted ways with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart in order to acquire Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers became intent on keeping Kuzma.

Kuzma was set to play for Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, but he sustained a foot injury that kept him out for the entirety of the preseason and also forced him to miss four of the Lakers first five games.

The 24-year-old made his season debut against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, scoring nine points and grabbing three rebounds in just under 19 minutes of action.

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Kuzma explained that his skill set makes him a natural fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis (via Run Gutterman of “Lakers Nation”):

“I think that with me being a guy that can dribble, handle in pick-and-roll, I can pop, post, shoot threes, come off screens — I think it’s going to serve well,” Kuzma said before the Lakers took off for their three-game road trip.

“I’m kind of similar in that aspect, spacing the floor and giving him space to operate down there. You can’t really double him when me, Bron and him are on the floor. It’s going to be exciting.”

Kuzma is currently on a minutes restriction as he continues to work his way back from the foot injury.

The Lakers had a drama-filled 2018-19 season, but Kuzma made some big strides in his sophomore season. Los Angeles will be counting on another step forward in Year 3 as they look to compete for a championship.