When Can You Request a Trade in MyCareer?
You can formally request a trade in MyCareer once you‘ve become a starter on your NBA team and the season hits mid-February. Here is an in-depth guide to everything you need to know about forcing trades in the world‘s best basketball sim.
Prerequisites for Unlocking Trade Requests
Before your agent will even entertain trade talks with the GM, you‘ll need to accomplish a few things first:
Emerge as a Starter
You need to log quality minutes and earn a spot in the starting lineup. Generally it takes around 10 games to trigger the promotion. No team will shop a benchwarmer!
- Average Rating Threshold For Starter Promotion: 7.5
Develop Into a Valuable Asset
The better your player, the more willing teams will be to negotiate and give up key assets for you in a trade. Having great teammate chemistry helps too.
- Recommended Rating to Unlock Trades: 80+ Overall
Impress Before the February NBA Trade Deadline
The peak trade window is between December and February. If you request afterwards, fewer teams will have cap flexibility or assets left to make a big splash.
Previous NBA 2K Trade Request Requirements
| Game Edition | Minutes Threshold | Rating Threshold | Other Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA 2K21 | 10 games played | 78 Overall | Chemistry of 70+ with teammates |
| NBA 2K22 | 15 games played, Starter promotion | 85 Overall | Must averaage 20 PPG |
| NBA 2K23 | 10 games played, Starter promotion | 80 Overall | Maintain ‘Team Player‘ personality badge |
Source: OperationSports Forum
Now that you understand the base criteria, let‘s get into the actual trade requesting process.
How to Request a Trade
Once you qualify based on above thresholds, here are the steps to formally asking out:
- Access the Main Menu in MyCareer
- Navigate to "Request Trade" under My Minutes
- Select up to 5 teams you would welcome a trade to
- Confirm request and wait for response!
Strategic Team Targeting for Optimal Trade Returns
Based on my experience across a dozen MyCareers, certain teams are more trade-happy than others. Here are tips on targeting organizations primed to make a splash:
- Struggling teams with poor records are itching for a shake-up
- Teams with trade assets like young prospects or first round picks are more willing to negotiate
- Big markets like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles are always looking for star power
I‘ve had the most success forcing trades to the Knicks, Hawks, Grizzlies, and Pelicans in NBA 2K23 thus far. Their GMs seem thirsty for talent compared to contenders with set rotations like the Bucks.
The best return I ever got was…
Rumors and Expectations for NBA 2K24‘s Trade Logic
While 2K has yet to unveil details around NBA 2K24, some gaming insiders expect even more realistic trade logic mirroring the modern NBA.
Based on early intel, key changes might include:
- Increased player no-trade clauses for stars after contract signings
- Front office personalities and relationships driving negotiation outcomes
- More value placed on rookie contracts and prospect potential
As an annual Day 1 buyer of 2K games, I cannot wait to test out the new systems and min/max my way to a dream squad through savvy trades. Perhaps I‘ll finally achieve my goal of teaming up with LeBron on the Lakers after all!
Final Tips on Developing Great Trade Value in MyCareer
To wrap up this guide, here are my top 5 tips for attracting interest and returning trade hauls:
- Focus on 1 or 2 key scoring skills to appear well-rounded
- Develop playmaking badges to highlight versatility
- Grind gym rat badge for an effort and conditioning boost
- Maintain good locker room presence and limit team rule violations
- Average 20 PPG and 7 APG leading up to the request
Hopefully these insights from a passionate NBA 2K gamer help you understand and master the MyCareer trade request process! Let me know if you have any other questions.
