One of the most well-executed new features in NBA 2K16 was the ability to rebrand and customize teams for use in the game's two Franchise modes and relocate those teams to new cities.
Now both the MyGM and MyLeague modes will also incorporate the ability to expand with the upcoming NBA 2K17. Leagues will be able to grow to as many as 36 teams, with expansion able to take place during league creation or in the offseason of ongoing leagues.
"When creating a new MyGM or MyLEAGUE, you have a few options on how you can handle the setup of your new league: Start with the current 30-team NBA, as it is structured now, start a league with Expansion where you can instantly expand the league from 30 up to 36 teams (all with designs of your choosing), or you can start with a completely customized league (that can still include up to 36 teams) that may include realigned divisions, Expansion Teams, Classic teams, Edited/Rebranded NBA teams, Euroleague teams, and more."
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While you can customize the team's logos, jerseys, courts, and other elements on your own thanks to the easy-to-use features added last year, there are also a couple new options for those who'd rather not go through that process.
"First, we have 10 pre-built fictional franchises (complete with full audio and commentary support) built right in to the game. Pick your favorite one and off you go. Alternatively, you can now download complete team designs from the community in NBA 2K17. For example, if you know that you want your expansion team to be a Seattle Supersonics franchise, you can search through community uploaded team designs and instantly download one right into your new MyGM/MyLEAGUE."
There's more to it all than just creating and expanding. Of course the teams will need players, and that means Expansion Drafts have been added. Contraction can also take place if decided upon.
"The league will approve expansion franchises dynamically on its own as you get further into your franchise. When that happens, you’ll need to make tough decisions about which of your players you want to protect, and which will need to be exposed for the impending Expansion Draft. It won’t happen very often, but when it does, it will shake up your league, without a doubt! For the MyLEAGUE users out there, you will have the ability to contract previously expanded expansion teams, should you choose to do so. "
Additionally there will be new ways to start a season - you can begin from the current date and carry over all the team's records and stats to that point in the NBA season - and Playoffs Mode makes its return.
NBA 2K17 will be the second-earliest an NBA licensed game has ever released (Sept. 16) . Paul George is on the cover of the standard edition and Kobe Bryant is celebrated with the Legend Edition . Amazon Prime members can pre-order any version of 2K17 for 20 percent off .
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the Press Row Podcast, and be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre .