​The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for the forthcoming NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, signaling their readiness to compete as the league heats up in the summer showcase. In a move designed to sharpen their preparation, the team has installed a newly designed, custom practice court inside a ballroom, a setup that has already drawn attention from reporters who observed players practicing on the court on Thursday, July 9. This unusual training surface marks a departure from standard gym floors and reflects the Lakers’ commitment to maximizing their practice environment in the unique Summer League setting.
Previously, the Lakers experimented with a custom court during the NBA Cup. While the concept carried a certain flair and team-specific branding, it also sparked mixed reactions from players. A notable point of contention came from star forward Luka Dončić, who found fault with the Cup court after an incident in the Lakers’ 135-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on November 25, 2025. Dončić described the surface as slippery and hazardous, noting that many players, including himself, slipped during the game. “It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous,” Dončić commented afterward. “I slipped. I slipped a lot, and you could see many players slip. And that’s dangerous.” His concerns highlighted the safety implications of a non-traditional court surface, especially in a high-stakes, high-speed league environment.
To address promotional and experiential goals for that season’s tournament, the NBA had provided alternate courts for each team as part of the league’s broader promotional strategy. These additional surfaces were intended to showcase the NBA’s brand partnerships and to add a distinctive visual element to the tournament’s presentation. However, not every game used these alternate courts; for instance, the Lakers’ own alternate court did not see action in their 129-119 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks on November 29. After the game, that court was taken back to its creator for repairs, underscoring the ongoing testing and maintenance involved with such specialized playing surfaces.
As the Summer League unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Lakers’ ballroom practice court will resemble the court used during the NBA Cup or represent a refined, improved version designed to address earlier concerns about traction, consistency, and safety. The team’s choice to train on a custom surface in a ballroom environment suggests an emphasis on controlled practice conditions, allowing players to acclimate to the rhythm and bounces of a distinct surface while avoiding some of the logistical challenges that can accompany traditional gym settings. If this ball-room setup proves effective, it could become a model for other teams seeking to tailor their preparation spaces to maximize focus, comfort, and performance in the summer league atmosphere.
This development also invites broader questions about how teams balance the desire for a unique, branded aesthetic with the practical requirements of player safety and optimal ball behavior. The Lakers, who have long been at the forefront of stylish, media-friendly presentation, appear to be prioritizing a high-quality practice experience that supports competitive readiness. For fans and analysts, the contemporary storylines around Summer League now include not only emerging rookies and standout performances but also the evolving approach teams take to practice environments, including the adoption of custom-designed surfaces that blend branding with player-centric design.
As the Lakers continue their Las Vegas preparations, all eyes will remain on whether this new ballroom court delivers the grip, stability, and feel players need to perform at their best. If the court proves to be an upgrade over the NBA Cup surface, it could set a precedent for how teams structure their off-season and summer league training, highlighting the importance of surface quality in maximizing on-court safety and performance. The forthcoming sessions in Las Vegas will reveal whether the Lakers’ latest innovation translates into tangible on-court advantages and becomes a talking point for the league’s summer showcase narrative.