Are you ready to dominate the court in NBA 2K22? Whether you’re a seasoned vet or a rookie trying to make your mark, there are plenty of teams that can help you achieve your goals. From the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks to the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, we’ll be ranking the best and worst NBA teams that you should play as in NBA 2K22.
We’ll also take a look at the impact players like LaMelo Ball, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have on their respective teams as well as the pros and cons of taking a full-on rebuild with squads like the Charlotte Hornets and Golden State Warriors.
Best Teams to Play in NBA 2K22
It all comes down to ratings, players, and potential – the higher the better. With that in mind, the best teams to play with in NBA 2K22 are the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers. These teams have the firepower to score from anywhere on the court and the defensive capabilities to shut down any opponent.
The Phoenix Suns have two 90-rated players in Chris Paul and Devin Booker, and the Brooklyn Nets have Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden leading the way, plus Blake Griffin, Patty Mills, and LaMarcus Aldridge bringing veteran experience.
The Golden State Warriors have Draymond Green, who’s a defensive force and can also put up points, and the Pelicans have Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado, who are defensive specialists. The Sixers have a killer offense with Tyrese Maxey’s outside shooting and Embiid’s all-around dominance. The Timberwolves have some great pieces to build around for the future, like KAT, Anthony Edwards, and Josh Okogie.
The ceiling for these top teams is hard to say for sure, but they all have a lot of potential. The Milwaukee Bucks were crowned champions last season, with Giannis Antetokounmpo taking home the MVP trophy with 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and five assists per game. The Atlanta Hawks have some seriously talented youngsters, like Trae Young, John Collins, and Cam Reddish, and they snagged Dennis Schröder in the offseason to give their team a boost.
The Celtics have a rock-solid D-rating and snagged Al Horford in the offseason, and the 76ers are a real force to be reckoned with in NBA 2K22, thanks to their rock-solid defense, plus their impressive 3-point and free throw percentages.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have some serious firepower in NBA 2K22, with Simmons, Irving, Durant, Curry, Brown, and Harris all sharpshooters. With a team like this, it’s no wonder the Nets are one of the best teams to play with in NBA 2K22. Their offensive prowess is unmatched, and they have the potential to score from anywhere on the court.
The Nets’ play style is focused on getting everyone involved and scoring from multiple players. Their lineup features DeAndre Jordan and James Harden, who bring veteran experience, plus Carmelo Anthony for some added firepower. With this kind of talent, the Brooklyn Nets have all the pieces to take home the title of the best team in 2K22.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks were crowned champions last season and Giannis Antetokounmpo took home the MVP trophy with 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and five assists per game. The Bucks have a great mix of young stars and experienced vets like Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and DeAndre Jordan, so they can score from anywhere on the court and play an all-around game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the man of the hour for the Bucks, but they can also rely on veterans like Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James to get the job done. The Bucks have two NBA titles under their belt – one from 1971 and one from 2021 – plus 15 division titles and two conference titles.
With this kind of pedigree, the Milwaukee Bucks are definitely one of the best teams to play with in NBA 2K22.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have some seriously talented youngsters, like Trae Young, John Collins, and Cam Reddish, and they snagged Dennis Schröder in the offseason to give their team a boost. Trae Young killed it in the All-Star game, dropping 10 points and dishing out 7 dimes.
The Atlanta Hawks are a force to be reckoned with thanks to All-Star shooting specialist Trey Young. They also have a strong low-post presence with Clint Capela and John Collins, so expect plenty of offensive rebounds.
The Atlanta Hawks are a great pick for your NBA 2K22 team because they’ve got a great mix of young stars and experienced vets like Lou Williams and Danilo Gallinari, plus their player ratings can give you an edge in the game.
Boston Celtics
93 rock solid – that’s the D-rating of the Boston Celtics in NBA 2K22. The Celtics have a young superstar core, featuring Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker. During the offseason, Boston snagged Dennis Schröder, who’ll bring an offensive spark to the team. Many believe that Celtics are the best NBA team you can choose in 2K22.
Additionally, Al Horford is back on the team, providing the Celtics with a big man who can shoot from the outside and provide a strong post presence. With all these pieces in place, the Celtics are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs and potentially challenge for the championship.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are a real force to be reckoned with in NBA 2K22, thanks to their rock-solid defense, plus their impressive 3-point and free throw percentages. Joel Embiid’s presence in the paint is key for the Philadelphia 76ers’ success in NBA 2K22 because he’s a beast on both ends of the court, boasting impressive ratings in rebounding, blocking, and inside scoring.
Playing with the 76ers in NBA 2K22 has the advantage of having a strong defensive team with players like Ben Simmons, who’s got high ratings in steals and perimeter defense, plus a good 3-point shooting percentage and free throw accuracy.
This team is an all-around powerhouse, and with the addition of young players like Tyrese Maxey and Deandre Jordan, the ceiling for the 76ers is sky-high.
Worst Teams to Play in NBA 2K22
We used overall ratings, player ratings, and potential to determine which teams were the worst in NBA 2K22. The worst teams to play in NBA 2K22 are the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, and San Antonio Spurs.
These teams have some of the lowest ratings and lack any big-name players, making them unfavorable in the game. The Pistons have an especially low rating overall and lack depth in their roster, while the Jazz have a low rating and lack any big-name players.
The Magic have a low rating and lack any depth in their roster, and the Spurs have a low rating and lack any superstars.
Charlotte Hornets
Ah the Hornets, they have been an up and down team for quite some time now, missing out on some crucial draft picks and signing some expensive role players that didn’t do them any favors.
This season, however, things are looking up for the Hornets thanks to the Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball. LaMelo has made a serious impact on the team and is really the spark plug that’s going to keep the Hornets in contention.
To improve their financial situation, the Hornets should look to swap out some of their higher-paid veterans for some cheaper alternatives that can still make an impact.
Golden State Warriors
Well, the Warriors had a tough go of it in NBA 2K22, but they still have a solid core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. While the Warriors have already shown they can bring home the championship hardware, they may struggle in the clutch until Klay Thompson is back in the mix.
As far as giving it another go with the current core, there’s no denying that the trio of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are a championship-caliber squad, and could be looking at another title run. However, the Warriors are known to cough up a few too many turnovers per game, which could be a major obstacle for any potential title run.
On the other hand, the Warriors could also opt to go the rebuild route, which would give them the chance to construct a new championship-caliber squad around a younger core of players. The biggest downside to this would be ditching the current squad, which has been the heart and soul of the team for a while.
While the Warriors may miss out on the title this season, a successful rebuild could be just what the doctor ordered to bring the Warriors back to the top of the league.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are a young and talented team led by the dynamic Ja Morant. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke are two of the most valuable players on the team, and the Grizzlies could potentially build around or trade these two players.
However, the Grizzlies worst team in NBA 2K22 when it comes to the defense, with a rating of 119.5, which could be a real disadvantage when playing NBA 2K22. On the plus side, the Grizzlies have plenty of young talent and could potentially make some big trades to bolster their roster. The team already has some valuable pieces, and with a few more moves they could be a real contender in the game.
With some luck and the right moves, the Grizzlies could be a real force in NBA 2K22.
Los Angeles Lakers
Not great unfortunately. The Lakers had a pretty rough time in NBA 2K22. Despite their not-so-great season, the Lakers got a high ranking thanks to the “LeBron James effect” and the addition of Russell Westbrook, a real star player.
Playing with the Lakers in NBA 2K22 could be a great experience as they have a strong lineup of superstars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with key role players like Montrezl Harrell and Alex Caruso to back them up.
With the right strategy and a little luck, the Lakers could be a force to be reckoned with in NBA 2K22.
New York Knicks
Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, and Mitchell Robinson are all standouts on the New York Knicks. Check out Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes – they’re the young talents to watch.
The Knicks’ lack of depth and experience could be a real drag when it comes to playing NBA 2K22, since they might not have the firepower to go up against teams with more experience and depth. Despite their lack of depth and experience, the Knicks do possess some of the best young players in the NBA, such as LaMelo Ball, who is already making an impact in the NBA.
The Knicks also have some veteran presence, including Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose, who can provide leadership and guidance to the team’s young stars. With the right strategy, the Knicks could be a force to be reckoned with in NBA 2K22.
Summary
In conclusion, NBA 2K22 is sure to be an exciting and competitive season. What teams you choose to play with will depend on your own playstyle and preference. If you’re more of a defensive-minded team, the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers have great defensive capabilities that can help you win. Alternatively, if you prefer fast-paced, high-scoring plays then go with the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.
On the other hand, there are some teams that aren’t recommended to play with because they’re either in rebuilding phases or don’t have the highest ratings. These teams include the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, and Memphis Grizzlies.
But don’t think all hope is lost for these teams! The Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have the potential to be a powerhouse in NBA 2K22 and if the New York Knicks make the right moves they can become another duo to watch out for throughout the season.
There are plenty of choices available so no matter which team you decide to play with, NBA 2K22 is destined to be a thrilling season full of excitement and upsets!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the worst defense in the NBA 2K22?
With their 106.9 defensive rating, the Golden State Warriors have the worst defense in NBA 2K22. They had the lowest defensive rating by any team this season.
What’s the best team in NBA 2K23?
The Milwaukee Bucks are the best team in NBA 2K23 hands down. Their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has the highest rating of any player in the game and their deep roster of other talented players make them a force to be reckoned with. With the Bucks on your team, you’re sure to dominate!
What is the best team rating in NBA 2K23?
In NBA 2K23, Milwaukee Bucks takes the top spot with an impressive 97 overall rating for Giannis Antetokounmpo and 86 overall for Junior Holiday; making them the highest rated team in the game. This bodes well for Bucks fans who are looking for success on the virtual court.
