Warriors’ Kevon Looney on track to return for training camp

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Last season, while watching Warriors games from the bench, Kevon Looney often felt helpless. If not for the two hip surgeries that robbed him of most of his rookie year, the big man knew he could have offered his team another versatile banger.

“When I’d see us getting outrebounded, I’d be like, ‘Man, I would’ve gotten that,’” Looney said Thursday at Golden State’s practice facility. “This year, hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to show that I should be on the court.”

Less than five months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum on his left hip, Looney is on track to return for the start of training camp Sept. 27. The preseason will be his audition to crack the rotation.

Minutes could be fleeting in a frontcourt that recently added Kevin Durant, David West and Zaza Pachulia to a group that returns Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Anderson Varejao and James Michael McAdoo. JaVale McGee will compete for the final roster spot, and rookie Damian Jones (torn pectoral muscle) is expected to join the fray during the first half of the regular season.

“I’m really eager,” Looney said. “I’ve been watching, running and doing drills now for what feels like two years. To be able to get on the court and actually be healthy, I’m really excited for that.”

When the Warriors took him with the No. 30 pick of the 2015 draft, Looney aimed to persuade the front office that he could be a long-term solution at small forward. He showed flashes of his potential in summer league, averaging 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum on his right hip.

So impressed was Golden State with his 12-game NBA Development League stint that it brought him back in February. More confident in his right leg than his left, Looney overcompensated and began to experience pain in his left hip. His second surgery in eight months ended his rookie season April 22 with totals of nine points in five games.

Golden State Warriors' Kevon Looney holds his new jersey during a media conference Friday, June 26, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. With the 30th overall pick in the first round of Thursday's draft, the Golden State Warriors selected UCLA forward Kevon Looney. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less Golden State Warriors' Kevon Looney holds his new jersey during a media conference Friday, June 26, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. With the 30th overall pick in the first round of Thursday's draft, the Golden State ... more Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Warriors’ Kevon Looney on track to return for training camp 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

While many of his teammates rest, Looney, 20, is training twice a day five times a week. He has added 20 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-9 frame. Looney, who was cleared for contact two weeks ago, played a two-on-two game Thursday, his first since his latest surgery.

With a 7-3 wingspan and ball-handling that belies his size, he has a chance to help round out the Warriors’ rotation. Another season spent largely watching from the bench, however, would bring its own benefits.

“I have an opportunity to come in, learn from these guys and be on this team where we’re looking to make history,” Looney said. “I don’t think any better situation could’ve happened to me.”

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Con_Chron