Considering that the NBA 2K series has been happening since 1999, with a new game every year, it is pretty clear that NBA 2K17 is on its way. The issue what will be in this new version of NBA 2K17, as far as its new features. Some have even suggested that there will be some new league of eSports based around NBA 2K17.
Design and Trend revealed a few months ago, right after the release of NBA 2K16, that 2K Sports was hard at work on NBA 2K17. In fact, since the game is probably due out sometime this fall, they are probably working very hard on it.
At the time, Lang Whitaker, an NBA.com writer tweeted a photo of himself along with fellow writer Sekou Smith and former NBA player Rick Fox doing motion capture for the NBA 2K16 follow-up. Rumors have circulated that since Whitaker and Fox are known to work on television, then perhaps some sort of television segment could work its way into NBA 2K17. Perhaps this is part of some new NBA recap segment to the MyCareer and MyGM mode?
One name that keeps coming up in any discussion about NBA 2K17 is Steph Curry. An article from The Bit Bag suggests that perhaps the Golden State Warriors point guard should be given special treatment. Curry has the ability to make shots that most coaches don't think can be made, such as long-range bombs, off-the-dribble pull-ups, and crazy crossovers can't really be pulled off within the context of the video game.
Considering that the NBA 2K series prides itself in its attempt to be as realistic of an NBA simulator as much as possible, should the playing field not be level for certain players, giving them special abilities?
Steph Curry was one of the four "cover stars" from NBA 2K16, so it is a matter of who will be the cover athlete for NBA 2K17? Several recent posts on the 2K Forum about 2K17 reveal that some want Kobe Bryant.
Other Forums, like one on Operation Sports, are revealing a different kind of "Wishlist". Some have wanted things like year to year saves, update rosters while in active My League, and adjust created player features hair/face in My League. More suggestions include updating the created player hairstyles, and the ability to watch the game from the bench with a locked player.
One issue that has been happening and suggested by NBA 2K17 news is that the latest version could be eSports. Apparently, 2K Sports announced last December that they wanted to make the NBA game series into an eSports, starting on February of this year. That has not happened, but they apparently plan for a new 2K Pro AM Mode which is a variation of the new Iconic Crew mode.
So, not only will there be a new NBA 2K17 release sometime around the fall, as NBA 2K16 was released last fall, but it could be made into some eSports with a possible cash prize as well.
