Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt are working with Phil Handy

There are two months left until training camp for the 2023-24 NBA season, but those dedicated to their craft are already preparing.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, such preparation is more important than it is for many other teams, as they are thought to have a legitimate shot at winning the world championship.

While their chances of doing so rest largely on the play and health of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, forwards Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt will also be key. In addition to their skill sets, they will allow the squad to keep James’ minutes down while also taking some pressure off Davis at both ends of the floor.

Hachimura and Vanderbilt were seen in Greece getting some work in with highly regarded Lakers player development coach Phil Handy.

The big key for Vanderbilt, who is an effective and versatile defender, will be improving his 3-point shooting to the point where, at the very least, he won’t be a liability in that department. Meanwhile, Hachimura already got in work with Handy this past season and has credited the coach with helping him feel confident and comfortable.

Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire