The Best Young Players to Sign in NBA 2K17: Power Forwards

Feature Article

Submitted on: 02/03/2017 by Joel Smith

When I start MyGM in NBA 2K17, one of the first things I do is look at my team roster. What are its weaknesses? Who are my best players? Who can I unload to try and improve my team?

One thing that is thoroughly enjoyable (for me at least) is taking my team and building a powerhouse based on youth and potential. The team might be average to begin with, but after a season or two -- and some improvement in player ratings -- my young studs usually grow into seasoned monsters.

I’ve taken the liberty of listing the top five young players at each position who have high potential and a high ceiling. You can target these players to help your team immediately, or after a few seasons of growth. The players are listed based on in-game overall; potential and basic info can be seen as well.

Power Forward

5. Aaron Gordon, Age 21 - Orlando Magic (75 Overall, A- Potential; $4.35M 1-Year Contract)
- Known for his highlight dunks, his game is coming along. Elite potential.

4. Julius Randle, Age 21 - Los Angeles Lakers (78 Overall, A- Potential; $3.27M 1-Year Contract)
- A rebounding monster who is strong for his age. He's also a good shooter within 20 feet. Elite potential.

3. Jabari Parker, Age 21 - Milwaukee Bucks (83 Overall, B+ Potential; $5.37M 1-Year Contract)
- Strong like an ox, and can shoot inside and out.

2. Kristaps Porzingis, Age 21 - New York Knicks (85 Overall, A+ Potential; $4.32M 1-Year Contract)
- When he was drafted fourth overall in 2015, most people had to look him up to find out who he was. After a very good rookie campaign, EVERYBODY knows his name. A silky smooth shooter that gets on the boards, his inside-out game and elite potential at such a young age make Kristaps a player to snatch from the Knicks.

1. Anthony Davis, Age 23 - New Orleans Pelicans (94 Overall, A+ Potential; $98.42M 4-Year Contract)
- If you can figure out a way to wheel and deal for this man-child, you’ll be set at the power forward (or even center) position for years to come. A truly elite overall player.

Member Comments

# 1 SilverDay @ 02/03/17 07:25 PM

I mean, but how do you ever get Anthony Davis. This is less like a who-to-sign and more just the straight up best young players.

# 2 335TDC @ 02/03/17 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverDay


	I mean, but how do you ever get Anthony Davis. This is less like a who-to-sign and more just the straight up best young players.

Yep, all the lists have been like this. Misleading, kind of goofy.

# 3 Slyone14 @ 02/03/17 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335TDC


	Yep, all the lists have been like this. Misleading, kind of goofy.

Good luck getting any of those top 5 in your mygm. When I saw this write up, I got excited because I thought they would suggest maybe under-rated players not the "Best PF."

# 4 TheFinalEvent97 @ 02/03/17 09:22 PM

Odds are high the top 5 centers will be
1. Cousins
2.Embiid
3.KAT
4. Gobert
5. Drummond

# 5 335TDC @ 02/04/17 05:47 PM

I don't want to pile on the author of this series, but the lists are just foolish -- players on each one are franchise certerpieces that are all but unattainable. Concept is good, but execution is unfortunate.

# 6 binga30 @ 02/04/17 06:16 PM

I would put this less on the writer and more on the game itself. It should be tough as hell to sign any of these guys, but just like in real life, there should be random occurrences of big players moving team ala Shaq, Howard, Durant. Moves like this do happen, but often the game AI does not allow this. Same could be said for Madden and NHL too.

# 7 335TDC @ 02/04/17 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binga30


	I would put this less on the writer and more on the game itself. It should be tough as hell to sign any of these guys, but just like in real life, there should be random occurrences of big players moving team ala Shaq, Howard, Durant. Moves like this do happen, but often the game AI does not allow this. Same could be said for Madden and NHL too.

Shaq and Durant left as UFA after years with their teams. Can't remember about Howard, but think he did, too? So that's not really "random." Porzingas can be traded for at a very high price in the game, but if you want Davis or another superstar, he'll be tied up until AFTER his RFA contract because the team will match any offers made...by then, it's not really a "best young player" list, eh?

# 8 FSanchez12 @ 02/05/17 07:25 PM

The first few weren't bad, these are all tough to get players. I mean look at this list compared to the PG list.

#BringTheNBAToPittsburgh

# 9 SocaWarrior13 @ 02/06/17 11:19 AM

I appreciate the criticism, but I have to reiterate what I stated before each list "The players are listed based on in-game overall". I used the most updated rosters as of January 24 (when I wrote the lists out). As mentioned, I searched by in-game overall, no older than 25, and potential. I don't control 2K's search logic unfortunately. And where I do agree with a lot of the players suggested that I missed, this was pure OVR/Potential/Age listed, as it was given to me. We, as writers, do take the time and wherewithal to analyze our work; while the lists might look "stupid" and the players that are "franchise pieces" look "unattainable", my next article will prove those theories wrong. COMPLETELY wrong. Tune in this Friday folks

# 10 335TDC @ 02/06/17 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SocaWarrior13


	I appreciate the criticism, but I have to reiterate what I stated before each list "The players are listed based on in-game overall". I used the most updated rosters as of January 24 (when I wrote the lists out). As mentioned, I searched by in-game overall, no older than 25, and potential. I don't control 2K's search logic unfortunately. And where I do agree with a lot of the players suggested that I missed, this was pure OVR/Potential/Age listed, as it was given to me. We, as writers, do take the time and wherewithal to analyze our work; while the lists might look "stupid" and the players that are "franchise pieces" look "unattainable", my next article will prove those theories wrong. COMPLETELY wrong. Tune in this Friday folks

Fair enough, but two points -- why shackle yourself to 2K's search logic? Use your own analysis -- otherwise, what's the point other than to show people how 2K's search logic works? You could have shown 2K's results and then re-rated the 5 based on age/attainability, for example. That way we'd have more of YOU in YOUR article. Meant with all due respect.

Secondly, the title "Best Young Players to Sign" is, in fact, misleading. You either have these guys on your roster or you trade for them. Feels a bit click-baity -- just being honest, and again, meant with all due respect.

I'd LOVE to see how you get AD or KAT without completely wrecking your franchise in the process. I'll tune in for sure...

# 11 ggsimmonds @ 02/07/17 02:25 AM

I don't want to pile on the author, but if all the list is is sorting by potential/age/overall there really isn't any insight to give.

Following this advice leads to not much more than overall hunting and that is not the best way to build a team.

The article as written does not fit the lead in written in the OP:
"The team might be average to begin with, but after a season or two -- and some improvement in player ratings -- my young studs usually grow into seasoned monsters."
Most of the guys on the list are already monsters. That lead in does not fit any article with Anthony Davis.

# 12 Gooby2k @ 06/03/17 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverDay


	I mean, but how do you ever get Anthony Davis. This is less like a who-to-sign and more just the straight up best young players.

I almost have enough VC to open a pack

# 13 VAWereWolf65 @ 06/03/17 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335TDC


	Shaq and Durant left as UFA after years with their teams. Can't remember about Howard, but think he did, too? So that's not really "random." Porzingas can be traded for at a very high price in the game, but if you want Davis or another superstar, he'll be tied up until AFTER his RFA contract because the team will match any offers made...by then, it's not really a "best young player" list, eh?

The thing is, MyLeague and MyGM have little to no story line or logic like that.

Durant left OKC for golden state to get a ring and Shaq left orlando to go to LA because of his ego and he felt that people would want him more in LA among other things.

There's nothing like that in MyLeague. It's simply how much money the player is offered. I did a "Start in Offseason" earlier this year where KD signed with the Suns in the offseason. Everyone was shocked when he joined Golden State, but if KD had randomly decided to leave OKC where he was with Westbrook in a winning situation, just so he could join the Phoenix Suns... I mean what're the odds...

# 14 VAWereWolf65 @ 06/03/17 08:34 PM

I'd also like to point out, If we're considering a players potential in this too, I don't think guys liked Julius Randle should be included. He's a 78 overall with 79 potential. You're probably better off spending your money somewhere else on a different young player who has a little more room to grow.

Not saying that Julius Randle doesn't have a high celiling in real life because he most certainly does, but not in 2k.

Getting anthony davis is near impossible with his situation. When I saw the thread, I was thinking of a list more like this:

1. Dario Saric
2. Marquess Chriss
3. Aaron Gordon
4. Deyonta Davis
5. Juan Hernangomez

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