Luka Doncic expected back in Los Angeles on Sept. 20

Luka Doncic’s extended stay in Slovenia is nearing its end.

The Lakers star is expected to return to Los Angeles on Sept. 20, according to SportKlub.si, via BasketNews⁠.

That will give Doncic eight days in California before the Lakers hold media day on Sept. 28. Training camp begins the following day.

Doncic has spent most of the offseason working individually in Ljubljana with trainer Anze Macek. He reportedly weighs approximately 231 pounds, essentially matching the 230 pounds at which L.A. listed him last season.

The scale will attract attention because this is Doncic and that’s apparently what happens. The more important detail may be the time he has had to recover.

Doncic’s first full Lakers season ended early when a Grade 2 left hamstring strain forced him to miss the playoffs. He is expected to have gone 203 days between the end of last season and the beginning of the new one, the longest basketball break of his professional career.

He also declined to play for Slovenia’s national team this summer, prioritizing rehabilitation, individual preparation and time with his two daughters.

That doesn’t mean Doncic completely separated himself from the Lakers. He organized an informal minicamp in Slovenia, bringing several teammates together for workouts and team bonding before official camp.

Doncic is approaching his preferred playing weight, his teammates have already visited and the hamstring has received a full offseason to recover.

Next comes Los Angeles.