Every year, basketball fans flock to the latest release of NBA 2K and dive right into the game's biggest modes. From MyCareer to MyTeam to The W, there are some great modes to test but the deepest is likely MyNBA. It lets you control an entire league as a commissioner if you want, or you can just guide one team to glory.
Since this mode takes place over the course of several decades, the teams to pick are interesting in NBA 2K22. In some cases, you can use a powerhouse with stars and in others, you might want to rebuild a struggling or young team into a dynasty.
San Antonio Spurs
Years ago, the San Antonio Spurs were the league's most consistent franchise. They'd win 50+ games nearly every season and won championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. Those days are long gone but there's still optimism in town for a handful of notable reasons.
First, Gregg Popovich is still the coach and though that might not mean as much in a video game, it's still good to have. Second, the team is mostly young and only committed to Dejounte Murray and Derrick White. That means you can mold everything around them and add a star to lead the way. Throw in some decent cap space and this is a situation with possibilities.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The poor Minnesota Timberwolves have long been one of the NBA's most hapless franchises. Outside of a few years during the Kevin Garnett era, things have been rough for them. Although that's still mostly the case, they have some fantastic pieces to build around for several years to come.
Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the NBA's best offensive big men, Anthony Edwards was electric as a rookie last season, and D'Angelo Russell was an All-Star two years ago. If you can take over this team and bolster the bench while adding a few pieces to the starting lineup, you could have something special for years.
New York Knicks
It's an exciting time to be a fan of New York Knicks basketball. Times have been hard for the franchise, with them missing out on key free agents in recent years while also having problems with ownership. Thankfully, those things don't rear their ugly head in NBA 2K22.
As the owner, you can avoid the mistakes the Knicks have actually made. Plus, they've started to land more notable players like Kemba Walker, who adds scoring to a playoff squad. Veterans like Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson can contribute or have trade value, while Julius Randle and RJ Barrett are quality young talents.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors seemed unstoppable a few years ago. They won titles in 2015, 2017, and 2018, while coming incredibly close in 2016 and losing in the Finals after key injuries in 2019. Since then, Kevin Durant has departed, Klay Thompson has missed a ton of time, and the team had some bad stints.
One of the most interesting things to try in MyNBA is to turn them back around. Do you attempt to win another title with the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green or do you completely retool and start from scratch with James Wiseman at the helm? There are so many possibilities here.
New Orleans Pelicans
Two years ago, the New Orleans Pelicans looked like the ideal team to control in this mode. Although they had a disappointing season, they're still worth trying things out with. The obvious highlight is that they have Zion Williamson, who has battled injuries but was even better in his sophomore season.
They also have Brandon Ingram, giving them two All-Stars who are in their early to mid-20s. They have a few big contracts set to expire at the end of the year, so those could either be waited out or dealt for young assets and draft picks. That'll help open up cap space, making this a desirable team to use in MyNBA.
Charlotte Hornets
For a while, the Charlotte Hornets were an enigma of a franchise. They'd consistently hover just under .500, miss on some big draft picks, and then sign role players to big contracts that handcuffed them financially. Things have turned around a bit as they nearly made the playoffs last season.
They also added the reigning Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball. At first glance, this team is in financial trouble since the likes of Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward make a lot of money. However, you can move those veterans for inexpensive players who can contribute almost as much and really open things up.
Brooklyn Nets
Sometimes, you just want to play with the most fun possible combination of players and that's what you can do when you use the Brooklyn Nets. Last season, the team partnered up the trio of All-Star Kyrie Irving and former MVP winners Kevin Durant and James Harden. That gives the Nets a phenomenal offense.
They also have veterans like Blake Griffin, Patty Mills, and LaMarcus Aldridge to fill things out. This team doesn't have cap space and they might only have a short window at a championship but it'll be a blast to use them. Plus, in the video game world, you don't have to worry about whether or not Irving will be allowed to play.
Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant managed to steal the headlines from the more hyped Zion Williamson, winning Rookie of the Year from him two years ago. Morant only got better in his second season and he looks to make another leap in year three, alongside some of his talented youthful teammates.
The likes of Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, and Dillon Brooks are valuable players who you can also build around or choose to move if they underperform since they're still young and inexpensive for now. Meanwhile, Steven Adams is a strong center to use or a solid piece to trade, giving this squad options.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are kind of in an ideal position. They are a team on the rise, impressing everyone en route to the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference and beating the Knicks and 76ers in the playoffs before bowing out against the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks.
On top of that, they are loaded with young stars. Trae Young is a blossoming superstar who is among the best and most confident scorers in the world. There's also John Collins, Kevin Huerter, Clint Capela, and Cam Reddish, as well as veterans like Lou Williams and Danilo Gallinari. They are dangerous and still growing.
Oklahoma City Thunder
It's almost a running joke among basketball fans about just how many draft picks the Oklahoma City Thunder have stockpiled. Through trades of Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Paul George, and more, they have racked them up. Just for starters, they have three 2022 first round picks and a whopping five set for 2023.
So, if your team struggles, they can build through the draft and even if you're good, you have a lot of picks to add more talent. Plus, only the immensely talented Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is signed to a long-term deal, so you have all sorts of flexibility to craft a roster that best suits your style on the court.