The NBA is a league that values young up-and-coming talent, and exciting, chemistry-driven team-play potentially more than any other professional sport. Fans will often stick with their teams through playoff droughts if they are getting to see a young all-star grow into one of the new faces of the league, or if they get to watch an unselfish unit play their hardest together.

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A rebuild, in the NBA at least, is somewhat vague in definition, but the general idea is that it means a team is sacrificing winning the current season (or even seasons), to instead make choices that will hopefully set them up for longer term future success. This can mean trying for draft picks, trading away expensive players, or sometimes just allowing the current group to grow while building around them. It takes a ton of strategy and some luck, and in NBA 2K24 players can see how they do making the front office decisions.

10 Chicago Bulls

Revive a Historic Franchise

• Overall: 81
• Start with a sound foundation

The Bulls have struggled to find their post-Michael Jordan stride for far too long. Having had numerous star players come and go without bringing them the success they are after, they are now stuck in the middle, with some great role players, but no star or depth to get them to the finals.

Players can pick this team to rebuild if they want to bring a star in to utilize the excellent batch of second or third options already there, or if they want to bring in more consistent role players and attempt to win via depth and chemistry. Plus, players get the chance to draft or find the next Jordan for the Bulls.

9 Charlotte Hornets

Complement a Young, Talented Franchise Player

• Overall: 80
• Work for Michael Jordan

Speaking of finding the next Jordan, Charlotte famously tried and failed to do so for nearly a decade. Partially owned by Jordan himself, this team currently has one of the most fun but inconsistent back courts in the NBA, with Lamelo Ball and Miles Bridges offering a ton of scoring potential.

Bringing in prospects, veterans, or even a star to turn these two guys into number two and three options can quickly flip this likable team into underdog contenders. Alternatively, you can take the young leader in Ball and get him some help in the forward and/or center positions.

8 Brooklyn Nets

Right The Wrongs of Their Missing Championship

• Overall: 80
• Offer a potentially faster rebuild

The Nets are a team that is plagued with "almost" getting there. They have forever been considered one of the coolest teams in the NBA, but it somehow just can't seem to translate to big wins. They recently had their best shot yet, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both coming to play, but they still fell short.

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Now, their stars have left and they have to look way ahead at securing young talent or luring stars back if they want to make a deep playoff run. With a large salary and no rough contracts to deal with, this is a fun team to rebuild if players want to bring current stars over instead of seeking new players and exploring their potential.

7 Atlanta Hawks

Support An All-Star Point Guard

• Overall: 82
• Wide variety of where to go

For players that want to utilize the next big point guard, the Hawks are maybe the best choice. Sharpshooter Trae Young has established himself quickly and efficiently as a killer in the NBA. Players that want to help this team excel will want to find bigs and defensive experts to support Young's dynamic scoring.

Plus, with the current star being a young guard, players can think through their build however they want. They can pursue star bigs or wings, and whatever they try, they will have a great scorer and passer there to assist.

6 2010 Wizards (Or Any Lebron Era Team)

Relive The Mastery of a Prime John Wall

• Overall: 80
• This idea can be applied to any team

One of the best features 2K24 offers is the ability to play through different eras of the NBA. This offers a unique and fun experience for players to rebuild teams from different eras using all the hindsight in the world. Players can pick their favorite team, then pursue draft picks and trades for players they know will become all-stars. Then, with their new squad ready, they can attempt to topple the Lebron-led Heat.

The Washington Wizards offer a great base for this, as they have the kinetic and versatile John Wall, as well as a decent supporting cast. That said, with knowledge of upcoming draft options, it's possible to rebuild any team into a contender.

5 1991 Philadelphia 76ers (Or Any Jordan Era Team)

The Ultimate Sports Boss Battle

• Overall: 78
• A fun historic era gets a fantasy shakeup

Another Eras team that players can use hindsight to transform into a powerhouse is the Sixers. Much like trying to beat the Heat during the Lebron Era, players can take on the immense challenge of leading a team through the early 90s and stopping the greatest basketball player of all-time.

Players can use any favorite team for this, but The Piladelphia 76ers are an excellent choice as they are in need of a rebuild built around their new star and defensive expert Charles Barkley. Why not beat Jordan and win Chuck his first ring at the same time? It's worth noting that players wanting to play in this era should download a full roster from the 2K24 player rosters page to make sure no stars are missed.

4 Memphis Grizzlies

Help Morant Win Memphis' First Ring

• Overall: 82
• A strong starting duo

The Memphis Grizzlies are arguably in a rebuild now, but the immense talent they have secured over the last few drafts put them more towards the dreaded middle of the pack. This has been the Memphis story far too often, with the physical, grind-heavy team always seeming to skate by securing playoff runs that never pan out.

The beauty of taking over this squad is that players get to make a vital choice right out the gate. Do they utilize the fun and talented Morant and Jackson Jr., attempting to find the missing pieces that will boost them out of first-round limbo, or do they trade them out for a full rebuild, trying once again to create a team that could be the future of the NBA?

3 Detroit Pistons

Revive a Team At Rock Bottom

• Overall: 79
• Has a star ready to take over

More fans have watched the Pistons play this year than the last three seasons. Unfortunately, it is because they had an unbelievable losing streak and had a chance at being the worst team in NBA history. If players are looking for a high-difficulty run that feels like a full RPG campaign, taking the team that had the potential to be the worst of all-time and getting them back to their former greatness has to be it.

Plus, it isn't all doom and gloom, as the Pistons' Cade Cunningham has easily established himself as an all-star with the potential to grow into one of the top scorers in the entire NBA. Drafting around him as he reaches his peak could make this an interesting team.

2 San Antonio Spurs

Lead Another Gregg Popovich Masterclass

• Overall: 86
• The team has already found their next star

It would be hard to name a young team that is more fun to watch right now than the San Antonio Spurs, and that exciting potential translates perfectly to 2K24. This is an excellent rebuild for players that are more interested in showcasing current potential than recruiting a whole new team.

The scrappy and enigmatic Jeremy Sochan and the 7'4 phenom Victor Wembanyama are maybe the most fun duo on this list, and both should grow into All-Star caliber players, with Wembanyama eventually being an all-time great. Players should jump on this team and watch it grow, using all of their front office strategies to support the steady base it already has.

1 Seattle Supersonics

Bring back the most missed team in the NBA

• Allows a completely new build
• All the uniforms, arenas, etc. are in the game already

Easily the truest use of the term "rebuild," this idea requires players to not improve a current team, but to bring back an old one and start it fresh. The Seattle Supersonics were an NBA team for over thirty years before they relocated in 2008. The team technically became the Oklahoma City Thunder, but fans have been begging for the team to come back practically since they left.

NBA 2K24 allows players to create custom leagues to use in MyGM mode, so they can add back the Supersonics as an expansion team or as a relocation of the Thunder. Then, players are able to sign free agents, snag a few players from other teams, and set out to rebuild the newest fan favorite underdog.

NBA 2K24

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , PS4 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One

Released

September 8, 2023

Developer(s)

Visual Concepts

Publisher(s)

2K Games

Genre(s)

Sports