Rui spent all offseason training with Phil Handy, the gift the Lakers star gave to the coach

After working out together all season long, Rui Hachimura has shown his appreciation to the Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy when celebrating his birthday in recent days.

With information by NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson: "Rui Hachimura was one of many Lakers who attended Lakers assistant coach, Phil Handy’s birthday party at a popular restaurant & while there gifted Coach Handy with a custom watch that had his logo on the watch."

This has been an example of how the Lakers are bonding with each other and the coaching staff "Lakers stayed pretty busy last month at their practice facility in El Segundo with Anthony Davis, Gabe Vincent, LeBron James, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt spending time there. Lakers bonding has been great." Wrote Brandon Robinson.

The Lakers fans are excited to see what Rui Hachimura brings to the team this upcoming season, especially after what he showed in the last postseason, as the Japanese wing was one of the standouts for the group.

What's exciting for the Lakers next season

In the last campaign, the Lakers were able to save the season from complete disaster after the trade deadline moves. The roster changed energy and had to develop chemistry in a small time gap, making it to the WCF. Now that the core group stayed the new signings are coming since the start of the season, and everyone is already showing their best shape, things are looking bright for LA's 2023-24 campaign.