Cavaliers, Warriors, Heat: How NBA Teams Are Bonding \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ NBA training camps this year aren’t just about basketball. Teams like the Cavaliers, Warriors, and Heat have taken their camps on the road, focusing on both training and team-building. With destinations such as the Bahamas, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, camps have a vacation-like atmosphere that includes bonding activities like yoga, golf, and even late-night domino games.
NBA Training Camps Get a Vacation Twist: Quick Looks
- Beyond Basketball: NBA teams are taking their training camps on the road, focusing on bonding through unique off-court activities like golf, dominoes, and yoga.
- Cavaliers Go Golfing: The Cleveland Cavaliers have been seen hitting biodegradable golf balls into a lake in Florida as part of their team-building exercises.
- Jimmy Butler’s Domino Obsession: Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler played dominoes until 4 a.m. in the Bahamas, embracing the laid-back camp atmosphere.
Deep Look
NBA training camps are underway, but it’s not all drills and playbooks—it’s also about experiences that bring the team together. This year, many NBA teams have taken their training camps on the road to some unusual destinations, turning the first week of the season into an opportunity for both intense practice and unique bonding experiences. With players lounging on Hawaiian lawns, competing in domino matches in the Bahamas, or golfing into lakes in Florida, these camps have brought a refreshing twist to the traditional grind of preseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, for instance, turned heads as they were seen hitting golf balls into a lake at their training camp in Bradenton, Florida. The scene left onlookers puzzled until it was clarified that the golf balls were biodegradable and harmless to the environment. The Cavaliers, who are holding their camp at the IMG Academy—complete with four basketball courts and numerous other amenities—are also making time for bonding activities such as team meals and recreational exercises. “We’re obviously working hard, but doing a lot of team-building stuff,” said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. “It’s been really cool.”
In a similar spirit, the Golden State Warriors took to a Hawaiian lawn for some morning yoga as part of their preseason activities. The Warriors, who are sharing Hawaii with the Los Angeles Clippers for camp, are focusing on more than just basketball fundamentals. Even superstar guard Stephen Curry, who spent a busy summer winning gold at the Paris Olympics and making appearances in China, admitted he appreciated the relaxed atmosphere in Hawaii. “I was honestly sick of traveling from the summer,” Curry said. “But this is not a bad vibe, for sure.”
The Miami Heat have gone to the Bahamas for their training camp, sharing the area with the Philadelphia 76ers, who are staying at another resort nearby. For Heat star Jimmy Butler, this meant hopping between countries in the span of a single day. After travel delays, Butler arrived in Miami from France—his final summer destination—on Monday afternoon before heading straight to the Bahamas that night. Despite the hectic journey, Butler showed no signs of fatigue, staying up until 4 a.m. that night playing dominoes, a game he’s famously passionate about. “The people are so great here,” Butler said about the Bahamas. “The food, the cuisine, off the charts. They play dominoes at a high level. … And I won.”
Philadelphia’s head coach Nick Nurse, whose camp hat featured palm trees embroidered on the side, said that while the setting may be tropical, it is by no means a vacation for him. “We really like to just get out and get away and get on our own. That’s the big thing,” Nurse explained. “I haven’t done anything except go back to my room and do stuff. I haven’t even walked outside yet.” For Nurse and the team, the goal of these training camps is about minimizing distractions and creating opportunities to build team chemistry without external influences.
This trend of out-of-town training camps is not new, but it has gained prominence in recent years as teams recognize the value of creating unique environments for bonding. About half of the NBA’s 30 teams are holding part of their training camps away from home. Beyond the Bahamas and Hawaii, other locations this year include Las Vegas, where the Dallas Mavericks have set up camp at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Montreal, where the Toronto Raptors have stationed themselves; and Nashville, chosen by both the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans.
Milwaukee’s camp this year is in California, a plan devised by new coach Doc Rivers not long after he took the Bucks job. Brooklyn will also head to California for the second half of its training camp. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks went south to South Carolina, Atlanta set up at the University of Georgia’s campus in Athens, and the Charlotte Hornets traveled to Duke University, just a couple of hours away from their base. The idea behind these camps is to create a change of scenery that fosters team unity.
“Sometimes it’s just good to be somewhere else,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “There’s no magic other than the fact that you get a chance to be together and have kind of a change of scenery.”
For the Raptors, heading to Montreal is not just about the change of scenery but also about connecting with a passionate Canadian fan base beyond Toronto. The Raptors will be joined by the Washington Wizards for a preseason game, adding another layer of community engagement to their camp activities.
In Bradenton, Florida, where the Cavaliers are holding camp, the team has access to not only first-class training facilities but also the benefits of being at a luxury resort. This combination allows the Cavs to mix basketball practice with activities designed to foster camaraderie. During one team meal, bystanders were left confused as players launched golf balls into the lake—a moment that blended relaxation with a bit of the unexpected.
Meanwhile, in Nashville, the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans have opted for a different vibe entirely. Nashville’s vibrant music scene and its laid-back atmosphere provide a fitting backdrop for the teams as they prepare for the rigors of the upcoming season. The focus remains on developing chemistry and building a foundation that will serve the teams well as they navigate the long grind of the NBA season.
Doc Rivers’ Milwaukee Bucks are also working to ensure they hit the ground running when the season starts. His decision to hold camp in California was part of his strategy to shake things up and break away from the norm. “We wanted to be somewhere we could really focus, but also have access to some great amenities,” Rivers explained. Similarly, Brooklyn’s decision to move their camp out west later in the preseason aligns with their focus on balancing intense preparation with opportunities for team cohesion.
As the first week of the season unfolds, NBA training camps are blending hard work with relaxation in creative ways. Whether it’s morning yoga in Hawaii, late-night dominoes in the Bahamas, or splashing biodegradable golf balls into a Florida lake, teams are using this time to forge bonds that extend beyond the basketball court. The league’s stars, like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and many others, recognize the importance of this balance—preparing for the demanding season ahead while taking moments to enjoy the experience with teammates.
For many of these teams, the opportunity to get away is not just about basketball. It’s about creating an environment where players can grow closer, where they can share experiences off the court that help build trust and camaraderie. The NBA season is long and grueling, and the relationships forged in these early days can be the difference between good teams and great teams. As Jimmy Butler put it after his all-night domino session, “The people, the food, the atmosphere—it’s all part of what makes us better together.”
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