Although the official preseason isn't officially set to start until Sept. 30, basketball fans are just days away from the release of NBA 2K23.
Perhaps somewhat of a surprise, however, is the fact that 2K has yet to reveal any player ratings. As such, it's perhaps as good of a time as any to go over some ratings predictions. Here are our ratings predictions for the top-five best current teams in NBA 2K23 at launch.
NBA 2K23 Overalls: Predicting the 5 Best Teams
5. Philadelphia 76ers (85 OVR)
Projected Starting 5:
- James Harden
- Tyrese Maxey
- Tobias Harris
- PJ Tucker
- Joel Embiid
Kicking off the list is the Philadelphia 76ers, who brought over several of Harden's old Houston running mates in hopes of making it out of the second round for the first time since 2001. Additionally, the Sixers added former Grizzlies' guard De'Anthony Melton to bolster a bench that has a solid balance of shooting and defense. Of course, Philly's success will ultimately be determined by how in-form Harden and Embiid are next year.
4. Milwaukee Bucks (86 OVR)
Projected Starting 5:
- Jrue Holiday
- Grayson Allen
- Khris Middleton
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Brook Lopez
The 2020-21 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks slot in at four, having a relatively drama-free offseason so far as compared to the rest of the Eastern Conference powerhouses. With perhaps the biggest addition for the Bucks being Joe Ingles, there really aren't too many question marks surrounding this team outside of Middleton maybe starting off slow after undergoing left wrist surgery in early July.
3. LA Clippers (87 OVR)
Projected Starting 5:
- John Wall
- Paul George
- Kawhi Leonard
- Marcus Morris Sr.
- Ivica Zubac
Perhaps the hardest team to project heading into the new season are the LA Clippers, who appear primed to finally reunite their "213" star duo in Leonard and George. On paper, it's clear that the Clippers are one of, if not the, deepest teams in the league. The only question is: Can they stay healthy?
2. Boston Celtics (87 OVR)
Projected Starting 5:
- Marcus Smart
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Al Horford
- Robert Williams III
The reigning Eastern Conference champions slide in at No. 2. Adding Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari to a historically great defensive squad from last season, the Boston Celtics are in great shape to do damage out east again. Of course, striking out on a reported blockbuster Kevin Durant deal wasn't the best look, but there are no signs of this young core slowing down anytime soon.
1. Golden State Warriors (88 OVR)
Projected Starting 5:
- Stephen Curry
- Klay Thompson
- Andrew Wiggins
- Draymond Green
- Kevon Looney
The path to NBA supremacy runs though the Golden State Warriors until proven otherwise. Losing Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, Nemanja Bjelica, Damion Lee and Juan Toscano-Anderson so rapidly after winning the championship does leave a bit of a sour taste, though the Warriors did bounce back fairly well. With promising young guns Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and James Wiseman projected to take on larger roles, as well as new serviceable signees Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green entering the fray, the Warriors should have all the pieces needed to push for a title repeat come spring 2023.
NBA 2K23 is set to release worldwide for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC (via Steam) on Sept. 9, 2022.
For more on NBA 2K23, feel free to check out:
- NBA 2K23 Badges: What's New, Reworked, Removed
- NBA 2K23 Editions Comparison: Standard, WNBA, Digital Deluxe, Michael Jordan, Championship
- NBA 2K23 MyTEAM New Features Revealed
- NBA 2K23 Gameplay Enhancements: Full List
This article was originally published on dbltap as NBA 2K23 Overalls: Predicting the 5 Best Teams.
