Since 1999, 20 of the 30 teams in the NBA have built or in the process of building new practice facilities, but in the past few years, that pace had quickened with some teams, like the Nets, building new facilities, others like the 76ers finally getting their own facility after years of sharing them.
One big reason for the financial commitment, which amounts to tens of millions of dollars per team, is the belief that free agents will be wowed by their new digs. While the players may spend part of 82 days (plus playoffs) on an arena floor, their workplace --their office, their factory floor-- is the practice facility.