Ranking

Team

Why?

1

San Antonio Spurs

Reigning champions have their core intact and have made some savvy peripheral moves. They�ve been on a hot dice roll for a year, with rule changes just adding wind to their sails. Will Harden get it together? It won�t matter, with Giannis and a complementary cast rolling. What a bleak world.

2

Milwaukee Bucks

The term �contender� is bandied about too freely, but the Bucks have finally matured to the point where the talent and potential meets execution. With 2K�s blessing (SGA is the best player) and an elite GM (Daz the GMOTY), they will dominate this season. Daz is salivating to get the real games started. My pick to win it all.

3

New York Knicks

The Knicks don�t seem to know whether they are coming or going, but I envision it all amalgamating into a dominating season. Through the teams amazing trading, it�s bursting with stars, capable veterans, promising young players. Smokey remains one of the fastest guns. Ominous.

4

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves have arguably the biggest teeth that they�ve ever possessed, having a true 2.5 star build with good supporting casts. Davis will win the MVP if he stays healthy, and Butler remains arguably the best two-way guard in the game. FA looms critical for the franchise, but they should add who they need.

5

Washington Wizards

The Wizards were one game away from claiming a triumphant title last season, and just like everyone else, didn�t have the juju that the Spurs did. Broken hearted, but not defeated, he went overseas to seek spiritual enlightment. Despite not having enough money to keep the lights on, Josh now lives in London, where he cannot receive messages. A Wizards slip seems on the cards.

6

Portland Trailblazers

The ultimate stars and scrubs build, the Blazers will run it back, hedging their bets on the now and the future. However, the position restrictions take a lot out of their bite, and they will have to do it a different way. The stranglehold they have had on the league for four seasons is breaking, and this ranking reflects multiple poor showings in the pre-season, a shallow roster and the blunder of Drummond. But� the Front Office never quits.

7

Memphis Grizzlies

Rinse and repeat for the Grizzlies, who look to have the same terrific core and a better shot of maximising all their abilities. Another real victor of the positional changes, the Grizzlies rotation looks much more impactful against opponents who can�t stack wings at the guard spots. Beal is primed not to be a spud in the new 2k. Their expectations and ability are as high as their luxury tax bill. Great team.

8

Boston Celtics

Another year older, the Celtics look to add another chapter to the team�s progression. Toby really only wants homegrown heroes and is happy to bide his time until the fruits of his labour blossom into championship-flowers. What will the team do with Sengun and Wiseman, two Cs? Does this team need more firepower? The Celtics will do well in a weaker Eastern Conference, but they are still probably a season or two away from being �the team�. Tatum is as good in the game as anyone.

9

Houston Rockets

The Rockets, with another year of maturation, an upgrade of Jokic to the MVP he is in real life, a boon for small scoring guards in 2k24, and the blessing of the positional rule changes, are primed to finish top four in the West and advance deep into the playoffs. We know Vitt�s style isn�t to deviate much or take much risk, and he probably won�t have to; this team makes a heap of sense, they have multiple contributors and I think they are a lock to tally their best win total of their history.

10

New Orleans Pelicans

I can�t imagine the demons that were tugging at Leeroy�s soul over the months where the Luka trade wasn�t possible. Along with the rest of the league, we counted down the GM points like advent calendar chocolates until craig got himself in positive GM points, allowing Luka to come to the Pelicans and ushering in a new, hopefully successful era after some frustrating campaigns. They could be too high here, but I am giving Leeroy�s ability and motivations the benefit of the doubt. Plus, Luka is THAT guy. The real question � is he the best PG in the NSL according to Craig?

11

Utah Jazz

I�m not sure I have seen a trade-heater like what the Jazz rode over the offseason. What a haul, what a team. Superstar, stars and multiple elite youngsters, they are going to be a powerhouse for years to come. First step, learning how to win often. It felt like extortion must have been on the cards with some of the returns the Salt Lake Front Office were able to achieve. But, you know what they say � it�s good to be great at what you do but it�s better to have nudes of your competitors.

12

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors were all in and stretched their roster and resources to their limit, before deciding to take a step back. Somehow, in doing so, they have created a roster that looks just as capable. What an effort. I think the fly in the soup was an always-injured Zion, and then Trae Young, and  they are now both on other rosters. In wanting to do less with the roster, they may have more. Dylan is a demon on the controls, and despite what he might say, he will try to win at all costs.

13

Indiana Pacers

We have all heard enough about the Pacers. They will have a good season, first-class seats on the 2k popularity contest, hypefest train. Toot, toot. I must admit, they went hard at the trade table and I applaud the urgency and confidence, despite Yeets attempted �villainy� coming off more like a class-clown. Will Someone Say Indiana?

14

Oklahoma City Thunder

I think OKC found a perfect rhythm and composition last season and never deviated (nor should they have). However, game to game, there are significant changes, so the Thunder will have to reassess what they have. I think they may sit too high here, but Edwards is a superstar already and if that shows up in the game, he will be very hard to stop. In saying that, I didn�t like the Trae trade and I still don�t; I might be biased against Trae, but he might also cause them to slide this season. Time will tell.

15

Charlotte Hornets

Craig-gate is a thing of the past, and the Charlotte faithful line the streets and chant the name of their beloved GM. He finally sent Luka packing, bringing in a feisty Ja Morant who has plenty to prove. They whooped the Grizzlies in their only preseason game, with Porzingis easily the bset player on the court. His health will dictate where the Hornets end up, as well as how often Ja gets on his insta story. This teams lacks depth entirely, so FA will be critical.

16

Los Angeles Lakers

Lake Show! It�s time! Four seasons in the making, the least successful franchise in the NSL has burst onto the scene in trade glory, cashing in draft stock to create a more than formidable starting five, with aspirations for the Lakers to taste playoff basketball for the first time.

17

Denver Nuggets

NOTE: From 17-through-26, all of these teams are more capable than the position suggests. This is always the way with the PRs; teams in this range consistently surprise. We will just have to play the games!

The Nuggets have stayed as stable in their construction as any other team. Aside from their splash on Sabonis, the Nuggs are sticking with their beloved stars and shooters, hoping for it all to come together in a fiery supernova of high scoring. Willy Hernangomez is a big loss, forcing the team to play �small�. Could easily be higher, but has Digga got the motivation to push?

18

Philadelphia 76ers

I�m feeling frisky about the 76ers, and I think the pieces could fit together this season. Fox is primed to be the best version of his 2k self, taking into account his real world success and maturing game. Wiggins, Brogdon, Adams, Achuiwa should form a complementary and physical starting lineup that will support Fox. Ben is still yet to decide what he is doing with his fifty second rounders, but the Phila front office are always giving themselves a chance to unearth talent.

19

Detroit Pistons

Fresh off whooping the Portland Trailrabble, the Pistons are riding high. Despite Sheed opting to get younger, the team looks quite talented and seems to fit the new 2k system well. Simons, Green et al. are primed to bounce back to a more impactful, efficient season and Sheed�s patented twin-tower build survived the rule change, a very fortunate and clever move and happening. Depending on how hard Sheed presses, they could rise (or fall).

20

Brooklyn Nets

Kyrie Irving, Jamal Murray and Lauri Legend as a top three is no joke; not many teams can boast three guys 86+. If the Nets can put it together, this actually feels low for them. However, their previous campaigns still linger, and they are yet to prove they are a team to be feared. KCP and Alex Len will round out what will be one of the most offensively talented, complementary starting fives in the NSL. Time to believe, again, Nets fans?

21

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are rolling back the �long bois� in Bol Bol (the shooting guard) and McDaniels, welcoming elite scorers Zach Lavine and KAT to the core. The Suns are a bit of an unknown; dramatic changes have been made to the team that lost no fans as they battled to a playoff spot. The biggest question is around KAT � who is he? Can he live up to the contract and carry the Sun�s offense? After a drastic rebuild, the Suns roster is shining.

22

Miami Heat

Pete will take offense to this, but I still don�t know what this team is, or what they are capable of. Injuries have been constant, what is their output when healthy? Pete is burning to have some success with his Heat and is motivated to make it happen this season. Isaac, who the hell knows, but Ben Simmons, by all accounts, is ready for a huge bounce back season. He will never be as hyped as he used to be, but with the new rules, he will be a glitch PG. Is it enough?

23

Los Angeles Clippers

Andrew continues to collect young talent and I would assume isn�t putting any grand expectations on his team (yet). The shadow of Giannis has disappeared aside from this writer�s personal biases, and the Clippers are looking really strong. Shades of Andrew�s NLL build with this team, which ended up as a great team.

24

Cleveland Cavaliers

This is the worst part of the rankings, and I always get it wrong. I got it wrong with the Cavaliers last time, and they embarrassed me. Will it happen again? I think they somewhat captured lightning in a bottle last time around, and based on the new game, transactions, I think they slide. Shams still my guy.

25

Chicago Bulls

Someone�s gotta be down here. Almost all the teams through the late teens down to here can make the playoffs, but someone has to miss out. The Bulls have made nice moves to turn AD into a young core of Ball and Bridges with star upside. They won�t be mature enough, to make real noise.

26

Orlando Magic

26 seems so low for this roster. Zion, by all accounts, is crushing this offseason and for the first time in his career, acting like he cares about it. If Zion has finally turned the corner with his health, the Magic are a big sleeper; the positional rule changes will work in Orlando�s favour. A big IF. They just have to put it together.

27

Atlanta Hawks

What are the Hawks? Lillard has had some poor showings in the preseason as he tries to force his way out of town and onto a contender�s roster. Bane looks strong in 2k24, as he waits to be handed the keys. Is Kyle Lowry the worst contract in the NBA?

28

Sacramento Kings

The affable, effervescent Klemm has regained his spirit and the halls of the NSL luminate brighter because of this. It�s beautiful. But the Kings are teetering on the cliff�s edge. Klemm has more clarity about his roster than previous seasons; he knows he has work to do, just doesn�t know how much. But he will put in the time.

29

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks tailspin of a year ago has stabilised into just consistent, mild turbulence, and the Front Office breathes a sigh of relief that it wasn�t worse. What are this year Mavericks going to provide, as they try and rebuild?

30

Golden State Warriors

Titles, for all his jovial anecdotes and sporadic enthusiasm, left the Warriors� cupboards quite bare. Tim has some work to do in weathering the storm and trying to move them forward. Otherwise, the Warriors might be holding up the PR�s for a while.