It’s time for tip-off with NBA 2K23. The latest iteration of the famous basketball simulator brought with it state-of-the-art graphics and enhanced gameplay. But as is the case with sports games, little matters besides the player ratings.
Gamers tend to flock immediately to the player ratings to see how the league is ranked this season. The top overall players in NBA 2K23 are a wide variety of guards, forwards, and centers, with a few new faces this time around. While it’s a guarantee these rankings will ruffle up some feathers, let’s break down the best overall NBA players in the game.
Updated on June 21, 2023, by Avery Feyrer: We've reached the end of the 2022-23 NBA season as the Denver Nuggets clinched the championship over the Miami Heat. Now that the season is over, we've updated the player ratings to reflect how they finished the season. We've also added a few more players to the list to show the growing talent in the NBA.
26 Trae Young - 89
Many expected Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks to contend in the Eastern Conference after their surprise run to the conference finals in 2021. Instead, the Hawks have battled tooth and nail just to remain eligible for the play-in tournament.
Despite Atlanta’s woes, Young remains a highlight reel player drilling three-pointers (A). He’s an exceptional clutch shooter with keen eyes to deliver quick passes to open teammates. The 24-year-old is a liability on defense but his offensive potential makes up for it.
25 Domantas Sabonis - 89
The Sacramento Kings committed to building around De’Aaron Fox and traded their promising rookie Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers for versatile big man Domantas Sabonis. The all-star center elevated Sacramento’s offense to new heights and he helped propel the team to its first postseason appearance in nearly two decades.
While his defense is subpar for a center (B), Sabonis is exceptional on offense. He has solid ballhandling and the ability to score inside (A) and from beyond the arc (B+). Few in the league can score as fluidly all across the court as Sabonis.
24 Tyrese Haliburton - 89
Tyrese Haliburton has improved each season of his career and 2023 was no different. The Indiana Pacers point guard was named to his first All-Star game averaging over 20 points per game.
He’s established himself as a premier young versatile offensive force with the skill to score from anywhere on the court. He struggles on the defensive end but Haliburton is well on his way to being one of the top point guards in the Eastern Conference.
23 Jrue Holiday - 89
Acquiring Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020 proved monumental in the Milwaukee Bucks defeating the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals the following year. Although the Bucks haven’t seen much success since then, Holiday remains one of the most underrated point guards in the league.
He’s an incredible inside scorer (A) but can also shoot well from outside (A-). Holiday’s age might be catching up to him, now at 33 years old, but the veteran is still able to defend exceptionally well on the perimeter (A+).
22 De'Aaron Fox - 89
For the first time since 2006, the Sacramento Kings returned to the postseason. Led by De’Aaron Fox, the Kings managed to secure the third seed in the playoffs but fell to the Golden State Warriors in the first round.
Fox experienced tremendous growth this season and expanded on his offensive game. He added a decent three-ball (B-) to his arsenal but Fox’s strength is attacking the basket (A+). He can quickly penetrate the defense and either score inside or kick it to an open shooter (A+).
21 Paul George - 89
Since teaming up with Kawhi Leonard in 2019, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers have reached the Western Conference Finals only one time and ultimately lost to the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, the Clippers have yet to experience a postseason with both George and Leonard healthy, as one superstar, if not both, has been unavailable for the team.
When George is healthy, he’s one of the top shooting guards in the NBA, capable of scoring inside (A) and outside (B+). George is a stellar perimeter (A+) and interior (A-) defender as well, making him an impactful star on both ends of the court.
20 James Harden - 90
After spending a full season with the Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden helped Joel Embiid win his first MVP award. Unfortunately, Harden and Embiid were unable to reach the conference finals for another season. Not only did this result in the team firing head coach Doc Rivers, but Harden might look to move teams in the offseason.
Harden is a Versatile Offensive Force who can drive the ball (A), pull up from midrange (A+), and make it rain from deep (A). He's a ball-dominant point guard and needs to have the ball in his hands almost every possession but his playmaking ability (A+) is outstanding. Surprisingly, Harden is also a decent defender on the perimeter (B) but might require some assistance down low (B-).
19 Jaylen Brown - 90
Jaylen Brown, the third overall pick from the 2016 draft, continues to expand his game as he enters his prime. The Boston Celtics' small forward is on the verge of a mega contract after another amazing season, however, the team failed to return to the NBA Finals.
The 26-year-old is a maestro on both ends of the court, capable of scoring from all levels and being a defensive menace. He’s exceptionally efficient inside (A+) and midrange (A+), while also being a deadly three-point shooter (A-). Brown can clamp down on opposing players on the perimeter (A), but can also hold his own in the interior (B).
18 Kyrie Irving - 91
Kyrie Irving’s tenure with the Brooklyn Nets ended in flames as the troubled player battled various off-the-court issues. Irving and the Nets tried to mend their relationship but ultimately it was best to split and Brooklyn traded the point guard to the Dallas Mavericks.
Several analysts expected Irving’s dynamic offensive skills to gel with Luka Doncic but the pair could not mesh together. Irving is a phenomenal inside (A+) and outside (A) scorer while being a top playmaker (A+) in the league.
17 Donovan Mitchell - 92
The Utah Jazz decided to change directions and traded star guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his first season with the Cavs, Mitchell averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game and helped push the team to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland failed to advance in the playoffs but the franchise experienced its most success in a season with Mitchell since LeBron James.
Mitchell is a versatile offensive force who's able to score with ease inside (A+) and outside (A+). He's an exceptional three-point shooter and can drive to the basket with ease. The 26-year-old is best known for his offensive capabilities but he does have n above-average rating for his perimeter defense (B+).
16 Ja Morant - 92
Ja Morant's career is currently at a crossroads. The high-flying point guard was hit with a 25-game suspension for incidents off the court that could impact his future in the league. But when Morant is on the court, he's one of the most exciting players to play the game.
Morant’s bread and butter is his ability to drive to the basket. He’s among the best players scoring inside (A+) and has quickly improved upon his mid-range (A) and three-point shooting (B-). Morant is an excellent playmaker (A+) as his assists per game improved significantly since last season.
15 Zion Williamson - 92
Ever since being drafted first overall in 2019, Zion Williamson has yet to play more than 61 games in a season. When healthy, he’s one of the most dominant inside scorers (A+) in the NBA. But his main issue is staying healthy, and that flaw might impact Williamson's immediate future.
At only 22 years old, Williamson still has plenty of time in his career to straighten out his health but the New Orleans Pelicans might be running out of patience. As a slashing playmaker, Williamson scores with ease inside and can find open teammates (B). If Williamson can improve his midrange and three-point shooting (C), he would be an unstoppable offensive force. Williamson is an average defender and shows his true value on the offensive end of the court.
14 Kawhi Leonard - 92
When the Clippers pulled off the massive offseason signing of Kawhi Leonard in 2019, many expected them to become the new kings of Los Angeles. For too long, the Clippers have lived in the shadow of the Lakers, but with Leonard and Paul George, things were looking up for “the second LA team.” However, countless injuries to both Leonard and George have prevented the Clippers from reaching their championship aspirations.
Leonard's natural ability is one of the best in the league. During the first round of the playoffs, Leonard suffered a torn meniscus but still managed to score 31 points. Leonard has at least an A- rating or higher in every category except rebounding (C+). He's a two-way three-level point forward who can handle the ball on offense to set up his teammates or score himself. As long as Leonard stays healthy, he can be one of the best players in the NBA.
13 Devin Booker - 92
Following two monster seasons that included a trip to the NBA Finals and a franchise record in regular season wins, Devin Booker has finally ascended into the upper echelon of the NBA. The 26-year-old has demonstrated incredible skill at scoring the basketball and has quickly become an above-average defender.
The Phoenix Suns superstar is arguably the best shooting guard in the league as he has perfect ratings in every shooting category (A+). And now with Kevin Durant on the team, Booker will see fewer double teams allowing him to improve his scoring efficiency even more. Booker's playmaking ability (A+) has also significantly improved as he's seen himself operate as the primary ballhandler on offense. Booker is only just entering the prime of his career so the NBA 2K23 cover athlete should continue rising among the top-rated players in the game.
12 Jimmy Butler - 93
After failing to reach the NBA Finals as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat managed to accomplish that feat as the eighth seed. The Heat's Cinderella run came to an end at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, but Butler put on a show during the early rounds of the postseason.
It remains to be seen if Butler's playoff run was a flash in the pan, but the 33-year-old reminded us of his talent. Butler is an efficient inside scorer (A+) and can also knock down a few midranges (B+) and three-point shots (B-). On the defensive end of the court, Butler lockdowns his opposition on the perimeter (A+) and has an extremely high basketball IQ (A+).
11 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 94
After several seasons of disastrous play, the Oklahoma City Thunder qualified for the play-in tournament behind the phenomenal play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Although the Thunder lost in the play-in, the 24-year-old continued to establish himself as one of the best scorers in the NBA.
As a two-way playshot, Gilgeous-Alexander is an amazing scorer inside and midrange (A+). He typically drives the ball to the basket but on occasion can nail a three-point shot (B+). The point guard is a plus perimeter defender (A-) and is capable of holding his own under the basket (B). All in all, Gilgeous-Alexander's continued development has not only placed him among the best points guards in the game but also the best overall players.
10 Anthony Davis - 94
Since winning a championship in 2019, Anthony Davis hasn't been the dominant force consistently on the court. He did average over 25 points per game this season, the highest since that championship season, but Davis's frequent injuries haven't allowed him to be the most reliable.
But when Davis is available, he scores inside with ease (A) and can knock down a few midrange jumpers (B). On the other end of the court, the 30-year-old center remains one of the top defenders both inside (A+) and outside (A-). Davis showed he can still be an impactful player for the Lakers as the team made a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals.
9 Jayson Tatum - 95
After falling to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics responded with an amazing regular season. Unfortunately, the Celtics were ousted in the Eastern Conference Finals by the upstart Miami Heat. Tatum struggled a bit in the conference finals but he remains a talented player in the league.
Every category for Tatum is rated an A- or higher. He's capable of scoring anywhere on the court and provides solid defense on the other end of the court. Tatum's remarkable 2K ratings make it even more perplexing when he disappears in the playoffs. But in the virtual realm of 2K, the Celtics star is one of the best.
8 Damian Lillard - 95
In today’s NBA, star players are quick to request trades when their current situation begins to tread in the wrong direction. But Damian Lillard is cut from a different cloth and he’s displayed unparalleled loyalty to the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard has experienced various nagging injuries over the past couple of seasons, but when healthy, the 32-year-old is still a deadly scorer.
As a versatile offensive force, Lillard has perfect ratings in every shooting category. It doesn't matter if he's under the basket or 30 feet away, there's a good chance Lillard is going to score. Not only is he one of the best pure scorers in the league, but his playmaking ability (A+) is also one of the best. Lillard lacks a presence on the defensive end of the court but surely makes up for it offensively.
7 Stephen Curry - 96
Coming off his fourth championship, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors showed the league their dynasty wasn't over just yet. However, the team struggled with injuries and other personal matters and the Warriors failed to defend their title. Despite losing in the second round, Curry reminded everyone that he's still a premier talent in the NBA.
Many NBA fans consider Curry to be one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. Holding the record for most three-pointers in history, each of Curry’s offensive categories is perfect. The 35-year-old exerts a lot of energy on the offensive side of the court but is capable of holding his own defensively on the perimeter (B+). The Warriors might be a different-looking team next season with questions swirling around Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, but one thing will remain constant and it's Curry splashing threes from downtown.