NBA 2K24: Best Playmaking Badges, Ranked

Summary

• Bail Out badge increases chances of completing a pass from mid-air, giving an opportunity for open teammate or better shot attempt.
• Unpluckable reduces chances of getting stripped by defenders, allowing for better ball retention and complex dribbling moves.
• Spot Finder improves player's ability to quickly get open off the ball, creating more scoring opportunities and mismatches on offense.

NBA offenses can only go as far as the playmakers on their team. Playmakers can be athletes who rack up high assists, fast break starters, or even players who simply have overpowered dribbling skills.

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NBA 2K24 has several badges that can boost a variety of Playmaking attributes but only a select few stand out as true difference makers. We take a look at the very best Playmaking badges and which ones you should have on offense.

10 Bail Out

Sometimes, plays don’t always go the way you plan them. And when that happens, you’ll need to be ready for a quick readjustment, otherwise, the busted offensive play will end up as a possible turnover and fast break opportunity for the opposing team.

The Bail Out badge increases the chances of successfully completing a pass from mid-air. Even if the play ultimately doesn’t result in points, you’re giving yourself an opportunity by finding an open teammate or a better shot attempt in case the drive to the rim goes awry.

9 Unpluckable

Being able to retain possession and not turn the ball over is an underrated skill to have in the NBA. Sure, you obviously don’t want to turn the ball over but sometimes players will be careless with passing or dribbling in exchange for highlight-reel plays.

Unpluckable reduces the chances of you getting stripped by defenders and that will allow you to maintain your dribble, or at the very least, pick up the ball and pass it. Having this badge will also make it easier to attempt more complex dribbling moves to shake defenders.

8 Spot Finder

Playmaking doesn’t have to strictly come from players handling the ball; in some cases, the best playmaking happens away from it. Modern NBA offenses have plenty of movement on the court and players who can get open without the ball are an important part of a flowing offense.

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Spot Finder improves a player’s ability to quickly get open off the ball. This badge will help create several more scoring opportunities and possible mismatches that can lead to an easier time on offense.

7 Hyperdrive

Fast breaks can be the most exciting plays in the NBA but some of that success can be pointed at the dribbling mechanics by the players pushing the tempo. It’s easy to lose the ball when sprinting down the court but the players who have the Hyperdrive badge make it look like a walk in the park.

This badge increases dribbling skills while on the move, making it easier to navigate down the court and when you’re driving toward the rim. Hyperdrive will help in shaking defenders and reduce the chances of being stripped by the ball, which will lead to easy transition buckets.

6 Physical Handles

Typically, playmakers will try to survey the defense and mentally plan how they want to attack the basket. While this is happening, defenders might try to smother the ball-handler on the perimeter but having the Physical Handles badge can protect you.

This badge lessens the chance of being bothered by defenders while you’re dribbling on the perimeter. Not only will this help you retain possession, but being able to continue your dribble will allow other players to find open spots on the court and you can direct the offense.

5 Break Starter

When a team misses a shot, the first thing you should be thinking about is how can you generate a fast break. Whether it’s simply sprinting with the ball or throwing a deep outlet pass, it’s imperative to quickly push the tempo and try to attempt an easy shot.

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The Break Starter badge improves a player’s ability to make effective outlet passes after grabbing a rebound. Usually, frontcourt players will be the ones who gather the rebound so if they have this badge they can quickly initiate the fast break by passing the ball up ahead.

4 Relay Passer

While isolation-centric offenses can sometimes work in the NBA (depending on the isolation player), usually you’ll want to have more passing involved. By moving the ball around the court, you’ll eventually find an open teammate or at least someone who can attempt a better opportunity than someone playing one-on-one.

Relay Passer provides a boost to shooters who attempt shots off a pass that will result in an assist. Now, this badge is restricted to jump shots and not layup or dunk attempts, so pick-n-rolls could work as long as the shot attempt off the pass isn’t to the rolling big man at the rim but to an outside shooter on the perimeter.

3 Needle Threader

The best passers in the NBA can find their teammates and deliver passes unlike anyone else. Doesn’t matter if it’s a bounce pass, behind the back, or a full-court heave, they’ll find a way to get the ball where it needs to be.

Top-quality passers will have the Needle Threader badge, increasing the likelihood of tough passes getting by defenders and finding their mark. Players with this badge are specialized facilitators and can dissect a defense in various ways.

2 Touch Passer

Being the main facilitator on the team means having heightened reflexes and awareness. Knowing where each of your teammates is at all times will help you quickly decide where your next pass should be.

Touch Passer speeds up how quickly a player passes the ball once they receive it, so you can quickly redirect the pass to another player for a better shot opportunity. Sometimes, defenders will switch to close on a new offensive player and Touch Passer can quickly kick the ball to a different player, possibly a cutter, for an easy basket.

1 Dimer

The ultimate playmaker is someone who can generate the offense through their teammates. It’s someone who can pick apart a defense with their vision and set up scoring opportunities for others. Usually, these playmakers will complete passes in a way that will more than likely end with an assisted basket.

No question about it, Dimer is the best playmaking badge in NBA 2K24. The badge boosts the shot percentage for open teammates on jump shots after they catch a pass. Even if it’s a hop-step layup at the rim, Dimer will positively affect the shot attempt. The best playmakers in the game are the ones who create for others and having the Dimer badge is essential in being a top playmaker in the game.

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