Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are thought to be the best team in NBA 2K24, but Khris Middleton’s play will be very important to their success.
The next NBA season is almost here, as summer turns into fall and the weather starts to get cooler. Now that the Denver Nuggets have won their first title, every team in the league wants to beat them.
New versions of NBA 2K24 came out at the same time as the new NBA season. The popular basketball game has the most up-to-date teams and graphics, so any NBA fan will be happy with it. We look at NBA 2K24’s best teams generally and try to guess how their season will go.
Phoenix Suns – 94
Last year was a rough one for the Phoenix Suns. They sold the team to a new owner and then got one of the best players of all time. When Mat Ishbia bought the team, he helped make the move for Kevin Durant happen (96). But the Suns lost to the Denver Nuggets, who went on to win the NBA title.
In order to win their first title, the Suns bought All-Star guard Bradley Beal in 1986. He, along with Durant and current great Devin Booker (94), makes up one of the best trios in the league. With Beal on the team, this Western Conference rival now has a perfect overall grade, but the defense (89) is still a question mark.
Los Angeles Lakers – 95
After missing the playoffs the previous year, the Los Angeles Lakers became very good at the end of the previous year and went all the way to the Western Conference Finals. Even though LeBron James finally got old in 1996, the future Hall of Famer still put on legendary games to beat the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors.
But the Lakers will also depend on young star Austin Reaves (82) even though James and Anthony Davis (93) are the team’s clear stars. The Lakers signed Gabe Vincent (79) and Christian Wood (79) in the off-season to add more experienced strength. The team hopes to have one last good run with James leading the way.
Cleveland Cavaliers – 96
It was a big surprise when the Cleveland Cavaliers bought All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz during the off-season. Many people thought Mitchell wouldn’t stay in Utah for much longer. But they didn’t think the Cavaliers would be able to get him. Cleveland made it back to the playoffs with a resounding victory thanks to Mitchell and Darius Garland (86).
Cleveland tried to beat the New York Knicks in the first round but failed. They are still a strong team in the Eastern Conference thought. They have a fast-paced offense with Garland and Mitchell, and their defense is strong (93) and is led by young defensive star Evan Mobley (85). Max Strus (78), a sharpshooter, was added by the Cavaliers in free agency. So they could make more noise in the East with their outside shooting.
Memphis Grizzlies – 96
Some of the best players in the league were picked up by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019: Ja Morant (92), Jaren Jackson Jr. (86), and Desmond Bane (84). However, the Grizzlies have not made it to the Western Conference Finals. Also, next season will get off to a rough start since Morant will be banned for the first 25 games.
To help with Morant’s loss, Memphis got guard Marcus Smart (82) from the Boston Celtics. Memphis is a great place for Smart’s rough style, and the past Defensive Player of the Year gives the team’s defense a big boost (93). The Grizzlies are the best team in the Western Conference when Morant is on the court.
Philadelphia 76ers – 96
They failed to make it to the NBA Finals or even the Eastern Conference Finals once more. Joel Embiid (96), who won his first MVP award, had a tough game against the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.
Embiid scored over 30 points per game on average during the regular season and led the team’s perfect attack. Tyrese Maxey (85), who has trained to shoot well from three points, will be asked to do more to lead the attack if James Harden (89) is moved. As free agents, Philadelphia added Kelly Oubre Jr. (79) and Patrick Beverley (76) to add more senior backup.
Miami Heat – 96
They shocked the Eastern Conference and made it to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years. But for the second time in three years, the Miami Heat ran out of steam and lost quickly in the NBA Finals. And Jimmy Butler (95) was great in the first three games, but the Denver Nuggets were too strong for them.
As the season comes, it looks like the Heat will get great Damian Lillard. But for now, Miami can only hope for more efforts from Butler and for Tyler Herro (83) and Caleb Martin (79) to keep getting better. Their offense (97) is a little better than their defense (94) but losing Gabe Vincent and Max Strus could hurt them this season.
Los Angeles Clippers – 97
The Los Angeles Clippers are the team that always makes you think “what if?” Fans were ready to finally come out from behind the Lakers when they signed great Kawhi Leonard (94) and got Paul George (89) from Oklahoma City. The team hasn’t been able to do as well in the playoffs. Because their two best players aren’t fully fit yet.
The Clippers kept Russell Westbrook (81) and Mason Plumlee (79), two Survivor IO players they bought during the season last year. The Clippers lost senior guard Eric Gordon to the Phoenix Suns, which is a shame. They will once again depend on George and Leonard’s health. The highly rated defense (96) is led by Leonard and Ivica Zubac, and they have enough reserves to handle the rest.
Golden State Warriors – 97
The Golden State Warriors made it to the NBA Finals again in 2022, which was a surprise. They beat the Boston Celtics in what some might call an unexpected title game. But anything is possible with Stephen Curry (96).
The Warriors added Chris Paul (85), who will go into the Hall of Fame. But the way they put their team together makes some people wonder. The Warriors may no longer be the best team in the NBA as Klay Thompson (85) and Draymond Green (83), who are both getting older, start to show their age.
Boston Celtics – 98
The Boston Celtics have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference for a few years now. They finally got it done in 2022 when they made it to the NBA Finals but lost to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. But as long as Jayson Tatum (95 points) and Jaylen Brown (89 points) are in charge. The team will always want to win the title.
People thought the team might trade Brown, but they ended up giving him one of the best deals in NBA history. To improve their frontcourt, the Celtics tried to get Kristaps Porzingis (86) in a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies that sent fan favorite Marcus Smart to them. The Celtics are hoping that adding Porzingis will help them in the playoffs against teams like Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Miami.
Milwaukee Bucks – 99
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s out-of-this-world skills make the Milwaukee Bucks the best team in NBA 2K24. With his loud dunks and rough play, the Greek Freak scares the defense. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a title two years ago. But last season they lost to the Miami Heat in the embarrassing first round.
Khris Middleton (85) needs to play like an All-Star if the Bucks want to be in the running. Knee problems kept happening to the forward, which hurt his play. Still, Jrue Holiday (87 points) is an underrated point guard in the league. Brook Lopez (84) and Bobby Portis Jr. (82) can make defenders pay for not guarding them better by hitting from outside.