Magic Gaming went into the 2024 NBA 2K League Draft with picks 3, 16, and 34 to complete their roster that already consisted of Point Guard Unguardable, Shooting Guard ReturnOfDJ and 2023 3v3 Champion LowkeyGodlike.

 

At pick number 3, MGG selected Power Forward Jboolin. He is an outstanding player on offense and defense. Magic struggled defensively in 2023 so he will play a huge role in fixing those woes. 

During the Draft, Magic Gaming agreed to a trade with Blazer5 Gaming that gave them the 34th overall pick and a 2025 first-round pick in exchange for the 16th pick and a 2025 second-round pick. With pick 34, the Magic roster selected Small Forward Snubby. Snubby is a quality defender in the full-court press that poses a constant threat to opposing Point Guards. Furthermore, he is a knockdown shooter on the offensive end. 

Moving on to the off-season acquisitions for the squad and the impact that they will have on the team. ReturnofDJ is an efficient shooter from the field but can find himself struggling from downtown at times. He is frequently able to create space to generate open looks but at times struggles to capitalize. Something that I’m looking for improvement on is translating his success in matches remotely to having success on the stage. 

Last but not least – LowkeyGodlike. He is one of the best centers across both game modes and has showcased the ability to have a large impact offensively by consistently knocking down his shots and finishing at the rim as well as his superb skills that can change any game on defense. After winning the 2023 NBA 2K League 3v3 Finals with Dux Infinitos last season, can he lead MGG to their first 3v3 Championship in 2024? This team is a championship-level team in both game modes and I expect them to make deep runs in the postseason.

 

 

 

Out with the old, in with the new for NBL Oz Gaming as they get ready for the 2024 season. With Harry being the only player returning from last year’s team, they made a slew of roster moves to build off of their success in 2023.

 

 

Point Guard Ceez comes over from Hawks Talon after 3 seasons in Atlanta seeking a fresh start. 

Next, NBL Oz acquired the 2022 NBA 2K League 3v3 Champion and 2023 Defensive Player Of The Year Finalist Bagmotion from Pistons GT. 

With the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA 2K League Draft, the roos selected Power Forward Plu. 

Holding down the Center spot after earning his roster spot through the NBL Oz Gaming Tournament Series and rounding out the team is Milo. Now that we’ve talked about the players acquired and offseason moves from the team, we need to dive into why they are important. 

Let’s start with veteran Ceez. Ceez is an outstanding player who has elite scoring traits and the ability to dice up the defense. He is one of the best players that the league has to offer when dribbling and creating space for himself to generate open looks. With one 3v3 playoff appearance in his career back in season five, can he rise to the occasion when the lights are the brightest and lead this team back to the playoffs in both modes? 

Now let’s discuss his backcourt counterpart the Australian sensation Harry who will be moving to Shooting Guard for the 2024 season. What makes his game special is his flashy dribbling capabilities and the way he is able to cash in on catch-and-shoot situations. I am very excited to see how this backcourt progresses throughout the season. In addition, we have to talk about the star-studded Small Forward Bagmotion. Bag is an excellent player on both ends of the floor. He is an efficacious scorer across both game modes and is one of the better defenders in the league. His on-ball defensive skills and ability to make game-changing plays often is what separates him from most Lockdown Defenders in the league. The question remains, can he bring the same level of success to the team down under as he had with Pistons GT? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out. Moreover, we need to talk about second-year player and 2024 first-round pick, Power Forward Plu. Plu was a quality selection for NBL Oz Gaming who brings an immense level of 3v3 experience and is a solid 5v5 player as well. Some of the things that stand out in his gameplay are his knockdown shooting abilities and his improved defense in the P&R. We saw his defense making strides prior to career challenges toward the end of last season. Regardless, I expect Plu to have a massive impact on this team this season. Wrapping it up at the Center position is Milo. He returns to the league for the first time since 2021 where he played for Pistons GT. Milo is a quality rebounder and shows the ability to finish at the rim. The question remains, how does he stack up against the upper echelon of  Centers? It could take some time for him to get comfortable, but I think he will fill that position nicely. What should we expect from this team? Making the playoffs in both modes and claiming the 3v3 Slam Open banner to kick off the first tournament of the year. 

 

Kings Guard Gaming came into the 2024 2KL Draft needing to solidify their roster around offseason retentions Kerry and Bray. With three first-round picks, they did just that. 

 

 

With the fourth overall pick, KGG selected Tearitoffem. I thought the team nailed this pick. Some of the things that make him the best Shooting Guard in this draft class are his prolific scoring abilities and his ability to create separation from his defender with the ball in his hands. Yet an underrated part of his game is his strong defensive capabilities and his ability to run the fast-break. I am very excited to see him play in the league to see where he stacks up against other top players at his position. With the seventh overall pick, Kings Guard selected Dr.Steppy. The first thing that comes to mind with this pick is versatility. That is because both Bray and Drsteppy can play Lockdown Defender and Center at a high level, so it will come down to whatever the team decides to do as far as positions go. If they go with Dr.Steppy at Lockdown, one of the things that stand out is the pressure that he is able to create on the defensive side of the ball while staying attached to the opposing point guard. If he plays Center, he does a great job of being aggressive offensively, while controlling the glass and holding down the paint. Let’s move down the line to the number ten overall pick, Point Guard, Fatstop. He’s a terrific talent who showcases the ability to light up the scoreboard consistently, while also possessing solid game-management skills. He will be a huge boost for the KGG offense in 2024. What can we expect from this team this season? I expect them to struggle in 3v3, but they have the potential to make the 5v5 playoffs.

 

 

 

Bucks Gaming headed into the 2024 draft needing a Power Forward to round out the roster of newly acquired Point Guard CP, Shooting Guard JohhnyRed, Small Forward Dawsix, and 2022 Finals MVP Dimez who returns to Milwaukee for the 2024 season.

 

 

With the 23rd overall pick, BucksGG selected Retro. Retro comes into the season as one of the best players in this draft class looking to make a statement to the rest of the league. His consistent shooting and ability to flip the momentum of games are things that make him one of the best rookie Power Forwards. Bucks fans should expect great things from him this year. CP joins Dimez again this season, but this time in a new environment. I expect these guys to work well together having played with Grizz Gaming last year. CP displays sensational scoring and facilitating abilities consistently, which will help them put up points in on the offensive end. After barely missing out on the 5v5 playoffs last season, can the dynamic duo punch their ticket to the playoffs this time around? I expect this team to make the playoffs in both modes this season.

 

 

 

76ers GC head into the 2024 season hungry and looking to make some noise across both game modes. After some offseason moves and three returning veteran standouts in Point Guard Dre, Power Forward DT, and Center DJ they set themselves up to be a threat in the Eastern Conference.

 

 

In an off-season move, the 76ers acquired 2023 Most Improved Player Award Winner Jyden from NBL Oz Gaming. Jyden brings excellent scoring abilities in both game modes to the table for the team, including creating open looks for himself with the ball in his hands. Joining the team in Philadelphia this season is Small Forward Gradient. Despite a subpar season in 2023, Gradient is still one of the best Lockdown Defenders in league history, looking to send a reminder to the league and come back stronger than ever. His impressive on-ball defense is what makes him so good. For the most part, he does a very good job at putting himself in position to make plays defensively. Historically, he has been a solid shooter on the offensive end as well. Fans of 76ers GC should expect their returning talent, and off-season acquisitions to be enough to make deep runs in the postseason in both game modes.