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As the 2023 NBA season concludes and the dust of the draft settles, the anticipation for NBA 2K24's release in September 2023 grows. The game's developers face the challenging task of assigning ratings to each team, considering the star players' ratings, the team's performance in the last season, and the projected performance in the upcoming season. Here, we delve into the teams that are expected to see a significant rating boost in NBA 2K24.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Young Powerhouse

The Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA, is developing a unit of raw talent that could become a genuine threat as their stars realize their full potential. With an average age of 23.14 years, OKC has the youngest team in the Association, boasting superstars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and the 2022 number 2 overall pick, Chet Holmgren.

Despite narrowly missing a post-season berth, OKC's young, skilled athletes, led by first-time All-Star Gilgeous-Alexander and Australian national Giddey, are expected to receive a better rating for their efforts in NBA 2K24.

San Antonio Spurs: A New Era Begins

The San Antonio Spurs, with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, selected French superstar Victor Wembanyama, who will join Keldon Johnson and others under coaching icon Gregg Popovich. After a disappointing season, the Spurs are looking to turn a new leaf and build something special around the highly-regarded international talent.

The prospect of having a young star with so much hype around him will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the team's overall rating. With their team holding a game-low overall rating of 80 at the time of NBA 2K23's release, an improvement should be anticipated to coincide with Wembanyama's arrival.

New York Knicks: The Big Apple's Resurgence

The New York Knicks, after missing the playoffs in the 21/22 season, took a step further in the right direction, improving on the stellar form that saw them reach the post-season in 20/21. The acquisition of former Dallas Mavericks guard, Jalen Brunson, was a game-changer for the Knicks.

With Brunson, New York gained a scoring wizard and floor general that can take the reins from their All-Star forward Julius Randle. The Knicks anticipate a better rating than the 86 they were given at the release of NBA 2K23, thanks to the addition of Brunson as the starting guard and the stand-out performances of fellow recruits Isaiah Hartenstein and Josh Hart.

Sacramento Kings: The Rise of the "Beam Team"

The Sacramento Kings, after trading away sharp shooter Tyrese Haliburton for big man Domantis Sabonis, saw a surge in their performance. The infectious "Light the Beam" mentality in Sacramento saw them catapulted to the top of their division rankings at the end of the season.

With multiple players having break-out seasons, individual ratings should improve for Sacramento, catapulting the "Beam Team" to a rating worthy of a franchise on the brink of becoming serious contenders.

Denver Nuggets: The Reigning Champions

The Denver Nuggets, after a dominant season that saw them finish on top of the Western Conference and go on to win their first-ever NBA Championship, have earned themselves a rating that pits them above the rest of the pack. The two-time Most Valuable Player and one-time Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, along with Jamal Murray, led the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Championship.

Despite being ranked as high as 92 withthe release of NBA 2K23, the Nuggets' dominant season and championship win warrant a higher rating in NBA 2K24.

As we await the release of NBA 2K24, these teams' performances and potential make them strong contenders for a significant rating boost. The game's developers will undoubtedly have their work cut out for them, but the excitement and anticipation for NBA 2K24 continue to grow.