The NBA Summer League, consisting of the Las Vegas Summer League and the Orlando Summer League is a period during which NBA teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups. Typically, there is a mix of rookies and some of the younger bench players to see how well some players work with others. Sometimes, even unsigned players are invited to play so teams can decide whether or not they want to sign the new players. The main benefit for fans, as well as the media, is to get a preview of the top rookies and how they will fit into the NBA and how they transition from college basketball to the NBA. The NBA Summer League is where many past draftees or players who no longer are on rosters try to make comebacks onto NBA rosters.

The Las Vegas Summer League is one of two summer pro leagues in the United States. The other summer pro league is the Orlando Summer League (run by the Orlando Magic). Up until 2008, the Rocky Mountain Revue (run by the Utah Jazz) operated until it was cancelled in 2009 due to declining participation.